Base Air Depot 2

Group
media-13622.jpeg UPL 13622 Aerial photograph of C-47 Skytrains, B-24 Liberators and Gliders at the 2nd Base Air Depot at Warton, January 1945

Image courtesy of Wallace Craig, who's father assembled gliders and drove trucks at BAD 2 after the end of the war.

Object Number - UPL 13622 - Aerial photograph of C-47 Skytrains, B-24 Liberators and Gliders at the 2nd Base Air Depot at Warton, January 1945

During 1942 to 1945 Warton Aerodrome was Base Air Depot No. 2, Station 582 of the U.S. 8th Air Force. In the three years it was active it processed over 10,000 aircraft and saw over 45,000 aircraft movements. Every type of American aircraft used in the European Theatre of Operations visited B.A.D.2. The unit also processed over 422,120 aero engines, parachutes, accessories, armaments, radios and instruments. The work done here was essential to the war in Europe. Please also see: https://bad2.co.uk/

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Warton 18 August 1942 - 3 September 1945

Encompassing

People

Ishmael W Abernathy

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group Base Air Depot 2 83rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-661689
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Byron D Amundsen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Base Air Depot 2
  • Service Numbers: 37564577
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ground Crew

Jimmie B Andrews

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 27th Air Transport Group 352nd Fighter Group Base Air Depot 2 310th Ferry Squadron 487th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18019552 / T-?
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Cardell F Barton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Base Air Depot 2
  • Service Numbers: 14027859
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ground Crew

Irving Bienstock

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Base Air Depot 2
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Role/Job: Medic

Aircraft

Ground crew of the 93rd Bomb Group prepare to load bombs into a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23737) nicknamed "Eager Beaver" at Alconbury. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 30 Oct 1942' [stamp].' 229840' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: .'FIRST PICTURES OF THE "LIBERATOR" IN ACTION Oct 1942. First photograph of the giant "Liberator" American bomber to be taken at a US Army Air Corps Station in England. Already famous as being the craft in which Mr Churchill flew to Russia and t

41-23737

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Eager Beaver / Fearless Freddie
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 446th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group Base Air Depot 2 328th Bomb Squadron 564th Bomb Squadron 704th Bomb Squadron

41-29369

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Tender Comrade
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 2 791st Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-29490) nicknamed "Gemini ?" of the 486th Bomb Group. The nose art was painted by artist Phillip S. Brinkman.

41-29490

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Gemini
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 486th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 2 832nd Bomb Squadron 834th Bomb Squadron 725th Bomb Squadron

41-6403

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group Base Air Depot 2 334th Fighter Squadron
4th Fighter Group personnel beside P-47 Thunderbolt "Ill Wind?" at Debden, January 1944. The pilot of the aircraft was Captain Nicholas Megura of the 334th Fighter Squadron.

41-6404

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Ill Wind? Old Red Ass
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group Base Air Depot 2 334th Fighter Squadron 389th Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributormiAmigo
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Added BAD 2 Association website

Date
ContributorBAD-2 UK
ChangesChanges to description and stations
Sources

Details from research carried out by BAE Systems Warton Aerodrome Heritage Centre and "Bomble Bee".

Date
ContributorBAD-2 UK
ChangesChanges to type, nicknames, motto, air forces and aircraft types
Sources

Details from research carried out by BAE Systems Warton Aerodrome Heritage Centre and "Bomble Bee".

Date
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)

Base Air Depot 2: Gallery (25 items)