42-52560 Laden Maid

The nose art of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Laden Maid" of the 466th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'I beleive this is 560M parked in revetment #6- last mission- # 118 11 Sept 44. My records show 521K moved in and took her place- this one called "Laden Maid Again"- but no insignia painted on nose- I have a picture of 521K that shows it as a silver bird- no paint. What do you have different than this? Oh Yes 521K (44-10521)- also occupied Rev # 6- with first mission on # 120 (5 Oct 44).' media-380743.jpg FRE 1937 The nose art of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Laden Maid" of the 466th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'I beleive this is 560M parked in revetment #6- last mission- # 118 11 Sept 44. My records show 521K moved in and took her place- this one called "Laden Maid Again"- but no insignia painted on nose- I have a picture of 521K that shows it as a silver bird- no paint. What do you have different than this? Oh Yes 521K (44-10521)- also occupied Rev # 6- with first mission on # 120 (5 Oct 44).' Roger Freeman Collection

Attlebridge Arsenal, Zeigler crew. There are reasons to doubt the accuracy of the message reportedly listed on the back of this photograph. Note that there is only a single bomb painted beneath the pilots cockpit, and that the L in Laden Maid is missing the black outline on the bottom. There are other photographs in this archive that also show the L missing the outline on the bottom, but have more bombs (missions) beneath the pilots cockpit. There are also photos in this archive that show that near the end of 42-52560's career, the plane clearly had more than thirty mission bombs beneath the cockpit, and the black outline of the L in Laden Maid had been restored (it was clearly repainted several times during the aircraft's service). This suggests that this photo was taken early in 42-52560's career, and that either the handwritten note on the back of the photo is in error, or the reporting on this photograph is.

Object Number - FRE 1937 - The nose art of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Laden Maid" of the 466th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'I beleive this is 560M parked in...

Connections

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Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17155913
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

First 466th BG Mission

62130 Siracourt, France 5 April 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

"Attlebridge Diaries" - John Woolnough
page 204, 213

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

Attlebridge Arsenal - Brassfield & Wassom

42-52560: Gallery (3 items)