42-52534 Witchcraft
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 1970 - A B-24 Liberator (Q2-M_, serial number 42-52534) nicknamed "Witchcraft" of the 467th Bomb Group in flight.
The B-24 Liberator nicknamed Witchcraft (serial number 42-52534, Q2-M) was flown by the 790th Bomb Squadron, 467th Bomb Group, and is famous for completing the most missions of any Second Air Division aircraft – 130.
Not all its activities were military however, on one occasion it was flown up to an altitude of 18,000 feet in order to freeze ice cream made out of powdered milk!
B-24H 42-52534 "Witchcraft" was sold for scrap October 3, 1945.
(B-24J-85-CF, ex-44-44052, registered NX224J was repainted as 42-52534 "Witchcraft".
and is still airworthy as of May, 2018. Maintained by the Collings Foundation).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Air Division 467th Bomb Group 790th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36559571
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ground Crew - Mechanic
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 467th Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Air Division 467th Bomb Group 790th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Assistant Crew Chief
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 467th Bomb Group
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 467th Bomb Group 789th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Revisions
Information supplied by Johan Visschedijk, Researcher at 1000aircraftphotos.com
Norfolk Record Office: http://www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/view/NCC108288
![A bomber crew of the 467th Bomb Group and their B-24 Liberator (Q2-M_, serial number 42-52534) nicknamed "Witchcraft". Handwritten caption on reverse: 790 BS/ 467 BG Crew Y-15, B024 H 252534 (Witchcraft). [Back row] Lt Geo. Reed (P)/ Lt John Oder (CP)/ Lt Charlies Mitzloff (N)/ Lt Jack Kraimer (B). [Front row] S/Sgt Dekerf Eng & WG, Sgt Brand Radioman and waist gunner, Sgt Bendroch top turret gunner, Sgt Kubracek nose turret gunner & Asst Engineer, Sgt McLean ball (belly) turret gunner, Sgt McElven tail t](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380792.jpg.webp?itok=SAaYFdPD)
