42-39835 Wantta Spar
Delivered Long Beach 14/9/43; Scott 21/10/43; Assigned 401BG Deenethorpe 26/10/43; transferred 510BS/351BG [TU-N] Polebrook 18/11/43; to 1 Base Air Depot, Burtonwood 8/6/44; Aphrodite/Azon Project Knettishall 7/44; 16m Missing in Action Siracourt 4/8/44 with John W Fisher Jr [KIA] of 96BG & T/Sgt Elmer Most; Crashed Watling Wood, Sudbourne Park, Suffolk; WANTTA SPA
Control problems led to drone crashing in wood at Sudbourne Park, pilot baled too late [KIA].
Two times Lt Fisher re-engaged the autopilot controls, T/Sgt Most having baled out, and level flight had been established, on the third attempt to gain level flight and successful remote control the A/C went into a spin that stopped Fisher from being able to bale out.
Mother ship for this mission was B-17 43-37637 piloted by Lt Foster Flakenstine and drone controller Major Rand.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Air base
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-695247
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16104347 / T-123104 / O-?
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 493rd Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron 860th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12034363
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Bombsight Mechanic
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Base Air Depot Area (BADA) : 1st Base Air Depot (1 BAD)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Benefield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Winfarthing
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 4 August 1944
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Daniels
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 94th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron 332nd Bomb Squadron 4th Bomb Squadron
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed |
Sudbourne Park, Sudbourne, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 2AJ, UK | 4 August 1944 | Aphrodite mission to Siracourt 4/8/44 with John W Fisher Jr [KIA] of 96BG & T/Sgt Elmer Most; Control problems led to drone crashing in Watling Wood, Sudbourne Park, Suffolk; |
Revisions
AAM DB Entry.
http://usaafdata.com/?q=search
Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 By Graham Simons.
AAM DB Entry.
Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 By Graham Simons
http://usaafdata.com/?q=search