42-52770 The Ruptured Duck

B-24H-15-FO

A 34BG Original

See photo of noseart in Helton’s Hellcats, p.57.

See photo in Helton’s Hellcats, p.64.

MISSION LIST

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-52770 D/N 4BS Johanson

Mission #5 May 28, 1944 42-52770 D/N (unused ground spare)

Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-52770 D/N 4BS Johanson  

Mission #8 May 31, 1944 42-52770 D/N 391BS Bower The Ruptured Duck  (incorrectly listed as 370)

Mission #11 June 6, 1944 42-52770 D/N 4BS Johanson

Mission #13 June 7, 1944 42-52770 D/N 4BS Johanson

Transferred to the 493BG.

Transferred to the 392BG.

MISSION DETAILS

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-52770 D/N 4BS Johanson

Took off at 0517 hours from Hardstand #21.

Flew position 2-1 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped short of Primary at 0856 hours from 15,000 feet.

"Short of target. 18th Squadron direct hit."

Landed 1155 hours.

Nose turret Oxygen hose broken. Inspected and repaired.

Johanson (P)

Griffis (CP)

McWay (N)

Lombardo (B)

Trotter (R)

Copeland (E)

Hunter (NG)

Andrianola (TG)

Sadowsky (BG)

Nichols (G) (from crew #13 Heath)

Mission #5 May 28, 1944 42-52770 D/N (unused ground spare)

Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-52770 D/N 4BS Johanson

Took off at 0704 hours. from Hardstand #8.

Flew position 3-1 in High Squadron.

Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1108 hours from 23,000 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1306 hours.

Flight indicator inoperative. Inspected & repaired.

Johanson (P)

Griffis (CP)

Covington (B) (from another crew)

Trotter (R/LW)

Copeland (E/RW)

Hunter (NG)

Sadowsky (BG)

Andrianola (TG)

Baldwin (G) (from another crew)

Mission #8 May 31, 1944 42-52770 D/N 391BS Bower The Ruptured Duck  (incorrectly listed as 370)

Took off at 0752 hours.

Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. Brought all bombs back to base.

The mission was Recalled.

Landed 1220 hours.

#2 Voltage regulator out. Inspected and repaired.

Bower (P)

Pratt, R. E. (CP)

Morrison, R.D. (N)

Lemen, J. L. (B)

Barnes, J. D. (R)

Bell, D. N. (E)

Maccinini, I. (BG)

Bloom, J. (TG)

Hartman (NG)

Ingrouille, R. L. (G)

Mission #11 June 6, 1944 42-52770 D/N 4BS Johanson

Took off at 0619 hours from Hardstand #8.

Flew position 2-1 in High Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Due to 10/10 clouds, brought all bombs back to base.

No damage reported.

Landed 1223 hours.

Johanson, A. H. (P)

Griffis, R. R. (CP)

McWay, R. B. (N)

Lombardo, V. M. (B)

Copeland, B. L. (E)

Trotter, R. E. (R)

Adrignola, L. J. (AG)

Hunter, J. A. (G)

Sadowsky, A. G. (G)

Holtzman, B. C. (G)

Mission #13 June 7, 1944 42-52770 D/N 4BS Johanson

Took off at 1657 hours.

Flew position 4-1 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb GP bombs. Failed to bomb due to weather. Brought all bombs back.

No damage reported.

Landed at 0342 hours on June 8th .

Johanson (P)

Griffis (CP)

McWay (N)

Lombardo (B)

Trotter (R)

Copeland (E)

Sadowski (G)

Andrianola (G)

Hunter (G)

Mullin (G) (from crew #15)

June 11, 1944 42-52770 Coupland

Took off at 1105 hours for Debach.

Transferred to the 493BG.

Transferred to the 392BG.