42-56015
The C-60A (serial number 42-56015) crashed on take-off from Prestwick, Scotland. It was later determined that the left engine failed after take-off at an altitude of 300 feet. Captain Richard A Spencer and his crew were ferrying the aircraft to the USA after they had completed their tours of duty. All five crew members were killed.
The crew were:
Pilot: Captain Elmer N White, O-802630, from Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
Co-Pilot: Captain Richard Allen Spencer, O-802476, from Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
Navigator: First Lieutenant Walter E Newcomb, O-807282, from Shaker Heights, Cuyahoga County, OH
Radio Operator: Staff Sergeant Jerry C Layton, 19081001, from Greene County, MO
Engineer: Staff Sergeant Gerard F Phillips, 12037078, from Queens County, NY
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Service Numbers: 19081001
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-807282, 11066672 on enlisting
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Service Numbers: 12037078
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-802476, 15096931 on enlisting
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Service Numbers: O-802630, 15130099 on enlisting
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
![A bomber crew of the 493rd Bomb Group with their B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40321) nicknamed "Old Sack". Image via HS Pete Hay T. Handwritten caption on reverse: '493rd group (debach) Photo taken spring 1944. Lincoln [illegible], just prior for this across Goose Bay- Iceland, Prestwick, Debach. PS. I'm standing back row, far right. On my right is Raymond Boxlierger Russell Kansas, Pilot. I was his co pilot, great guy.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380959.jpg.webp?itok=It7W8ms0)
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
Prestwick, South Ayrshire, UK | 11 August 1944 |