B-24J "Queen of Hearts" from 90th BG

warbirdguy · **Posted:** Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:44 pm

Does anybody know how many missions B-24J Liberator "Queen of Hearts" 44-40185 flew during WWII. It served with the 90th BG 320th BS The Jolly Rogers. I've snooped around but haven't come up with anything.

http://www.b24bestweb.com/queenofhearts-v4-1.htm

Thanks in advance.

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:07 pm

Happens to be my grandfather's aircraft. His name: Peter J. Soltis, Top Turret.

My dad threw most that info up there on the website. I can find out the missions, but it will take a little bit. I gotta ask, what interest do you have in my granddaddy's bomber? :wink:

Very interested.

Chris

warbirdguy · **Posted:** Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:37 pm

I was actually surfing B-24 Best Web yesterday and came across that plane. I didn't see any mission markings so I was curious as to the number it flew.

There is something about the Jolly Rogers markings that stand out from the rest. Maybe its the fact that the tail markings actually have noseart-like markings rather that just a solid color and stripes. The one characteristic that made "Queen of Hearts" stand out was the shark tooth markings on the nose. Were those markings on all 320th BS planes or just your granddads plane?

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Sat Feb 02, 2008 8:02 pm

The Shark Mouth was worn on most if not all of the 320th aircraft. The three other squadrons, all had distinctive color schemes on there tails. Blue, green, and black. But it was the 320th that wore the red and white on there tails and in the shark mouths. Hence the squadron name, “Moby Dick”.

As far as my father and I know, Peter J. Soltis flew approximately more than 50 missions in the Pacific. But It seems what was the norm in many squadrons at the time was that crews were more flexible, while certain B-24s were in repair or otherwise. “Queen of Hearts” was with out a doubt my grandfather’s aircraft. But he served and flew in numerous other Liberators from his squadron on certain missions. In one example on Feb 1, 1945, we know it was his aircraft (44-40185) that had been the most heavily damaged. The pilot, Lt. Edward Loyd, jr. had difficulty flying the aircraft after having been hit in the # 4 engine, left landing gear, wing tip, and a waist window. They were able to put the hurting bomber down on an emergency strip called Mangaldan. Apparently they ended up leaving the bomber there and took a cargo B-24 (C-87) back to there base.

Gonna have to do some more digging and get back to you,. Glad to see your interested in the squadron art too! I’ve been saying for years that the 320th had some of the most unique and interesting makings in the war. But then again I’m not really a biased opinion. Wish Mr. Weeks would consider this scheme for his Liberator once finished. But then again who knows when that project will get underway!

All the best,
Chris

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B-24J "Queen of Hearts" from 90th BG

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