42-95264 Modest Maiden
B-24 - Best - Web - # 42-95264 - 'Modest Maiden'
Aircraft was originally assigned to 492nd Bomb Group with associated black diagonal tail stripes. After conversion of the 492nd to a "Carpet Bagger" unit, 42-95264 was transferred to the 491st BG and further assigned to the 853rd Bomb Squadron with tail code of -I and a simple nose art of a standing girl.
It was known as a hard luck ship when assigned to the Rice crew in early 1945. In fact, it had aborted a mission and was in Belgium when assigned to the crew. Lieutenants Rice and Melaun and Tech Sergeant Dwight Hoff went to fetch it home. LT Rice requested a new callsign of -V for Victory and to replace the nose art, both of which were approved by Operations Officer Major Raymond Litton. The new nose art was painted by LT Bill Melaun, who after the war became a commercial artist and master engraver.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Nose gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Engineer / Top Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: North Pick
Revisions
Change key image from single individual at prop to a more typical aircraft /nose and ground personnel photo.