UPL 15135
IMAGEPrince Charming, was flown on Operation Tidal Wave by Lt. Tom Bennett. Bennet turned back early in the flight in the vicinity of Corfu, Turkey, and did not even reach the target area. The B-24D that was shot down over Bulgaria, while helping defend, The Witch, 41-11840, was, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 42-40364. The "D" model, Prince Charming was retired from combat operations and was replaced in Feb 1944 with a newer "J" model, Prince Charming, 42-109802, which carried similar nose art, both painted by Amos Rudolph "Rudy" Gaydosh was the Crew Chief on both, Prince Charmings, and proudly claims that none of his ships were lost in combat. The B-24D Liberator, 42-40082, Prince Charming, was one of several B-24Ds in the 98th Bomb Group with beautifully painted nose art, done by the talented crew chief and artist, SSgt. Amos Nicholson, in 1942-43. Prince Charming, flew on Operation Tidal Wave, the Ploesti bombing mission, aborting the mission early at the island of Crete and returned safely to base (RTB) at Benghazi, Libya. 10 RTB. 1 Aug 1943
Connections
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Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16035567
- Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
- Role/Job: Crew Chief / Artist
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: - Prince Charming
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron