41-25353 Black Magic IV Mr Shorty

Two B-26 Marauders, (RJ-H, serial number 42-107614) nicknamed "Lady Luck III" and (RJ-C) of the 323rd Bomb Group in flight. Printed caption on reverse: '55172 A.C. - Martin B-26 Marauders in flight over France on bombing mission to Germany. The Marauder can carry 4000 pounds of bombs to a tactical range of 350 miles and is armed with eleven .50 calibre machine guns. U.S. Air Force Photo.' On reverse: U.S. Air Force Detachment-5, HQ AAVS (MAC) [Stamp]. media-457854.jpg FRE 10492 Two B-26 Marauders, (RJ-H, serial number 42-107614) nicknamed "Lady Luck III" and (RJ-S, serial number 41-25353" knicknamed "Black Magic IV"/"Mr. Shorty") of the 323rd Bomb Group in flight. Printed caption on reverse: '55172 A.C. - Martin B-26 Marauders in flight over France on bombing mission to Germany. The Marauder can carry 4000 pounds of bombs to a tactical range of 350 miles and is armed with eleven .50 calibre machine guns. U.S. Air Force Photo.' On reverse: U.S. Air Force Detachment-5, HQ AAVS (MAC) [Stamp].

The rear one-third, inlcuding the tail gunner's section of "Balck Magic IV"/"Mr. Shorty" is located at the Boxted Airfield Museum, Essex County, England. The aircraft took the knickname of "Mr.Shorty" after the toddler son of Lt. Dick Gray, who flew her. The aircraft is on loan to the Boxted Airfield Museum from the Marks Hall Estate adjacent to the Earls Colne Airfield, which was the location of the 323rd Bomb Group. Persons interested may contact the Boxted Airfield Museum for further informaiton. Roger Freeman Collection

JMF

Object Number - FRE 10492 - Two B-26 Marauders, (RJ-H, serial number 42-107614) nicknamed "Lady Luck III" and (RJ-S, serial number 41-25353" knicknamed "Black Magic IV"/"Mr....

Assigned to 454BS, 323BG, 9AF.

Connections

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

Units served with

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Places

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes

41-25353: Gallery (2 items)