B-24J With Flak Hit
Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:51 pm
Another remarkable example of the Lib's ability to absorb punishment was demonstrated by Lt. Bernard L. Ball while flying a Consolidated B-24-65 (Fort Worth built) on a mission to Yugoslavia. His aircraft, serial 44-10570, sustained a direct flak hit in the waist gun area. The explosion literally blew that area apart, killing one of the gunners, severing the rudder cables, and removing half of the upper fuselage in that spot. Lt. Bell flew the Lib home using engines and cowl flaps for directional control.
Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:55 pm
that's an amazing pic.
B
B
Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:33 am
Jack, Thanks for posting that one!
My late Uncle, Thomas Kennedy, was a crew chief with the 449th (the group this B-24 was assigned to) in Italy and was there when this ship came in! He's got his own snap shots of the damage from both sides.
Amazing hearing about it from the horse's mouth.
The late Sen. Loyd Benson was also a pilot with the 449th.
Jerry
My late Uncle, Thomas Kennedy, was a crew chief with the 449th (the group this B-24 was assigned to) in Italy and was there when this ship came in! He's got his own snap shots of the damage from both sides.
Amazing hearing about it from the horse's mouth.
The late Sen. Loyd Benson was also a pilot with the 449th.
Jerry
Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:17 am
Ol' Gary'll fix her right up. I wonder if that's him standing in the waist... 
SN
SN
Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:23 am
Steve Nelson wrote:Ol' Gary'll fix her right up. I wonder if that's him standing in the waist...
SN
Nah. I'm not that tall.
Gary
Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:35 am
Awe, come on Gary, you could just cut away the loose pieces and make it a "Rag Top" B-24!
Imagine crusin' through the local drive in with the top down. The chicks would go nuts! (and it's a lot faster than a Porsche!)
Jerry
Imagine crusin' through the local drive in with the top down. The chicks would go nuts! (and it's a lot faster than a Porsche!)
Jerry
Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:14 am
Here is a photo of the right side of the airplane taken from the wing. The field at Grottaglie must have been used as a depot of sorts judging from the collection of aircraft behind her. R.I.P. to the aerial gunner lost that day.
Scott
Scott