Wright, Noble E. crew

 

NOTE: According to Hudson (R), it was George Baldwin (TT) on this crew who shot down the V-1 "buzz bomb" while returning from a mission to France flying in 42-52755, Dynamite 'N Dodo. The exact date of this incident has yet to be determined. (See Memdlesham Memories, Dec 1986, page 2.)

 

MISSION LIST

 

CREW #6; 4th Squadron Dynamite ‘n Dodo

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94775 D/M 4BS Wright unknown name                                   Slight damage

Mission #3 May 25, 1944 42-94811 D/K 4BS Wright Tommy Thumper II

Mission #4 May 27, 1944 42-52707 D/P 4BS Wright Open Season

Mission #5 May 28, 1944 42-94815 B/B 4BS Wright Frivolous Sal

Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-94780 L/M Wright Smitty (unused ground spare on stand by)

Mission #13 June 7, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright Percolatin’ Pete

Mission #14 June 11, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright (incorrectly shown on a couple of forms as 2775)

Mission #15 June 12, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Mission #17 June 17, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Mission #18 June 20, 1944 44-40476 B/I 4BS Wright unknown name

Mission #19 June 20, 1944 44-40438 D/M 4BS Wright unknown name

Mission #20 June 22, 1944 44-40441 D/N 4BS Wright Floogie Boo

Mission #22 June 24, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Mission #24 June 25, 1944 41-28878 B/J 4BS Wright The Heavenly Body

Mission #27 June 28, 1944 44-40441 D/N 4BS Wright Floogie Boo 

Mission #28 June 29, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright (Aborted – supercharger)

Mission #30 July 6, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright (incorrectly shown as D/L)

Mission #33 July 9, 1944 42-52755 D/F Wright

Mission #34 July 12, 1944 42-94908 E/E 4BS Wright Tiger Rag

Mission #36 July 17, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Mission #37 July 18, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Mission #39 July 20, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright (Aborted – mechanical)

Mission #40 July 21, 1944 42-94755 D/D 4BS Wright Weary Willie

Mission #44 July 27, 1944 44-40276 E/C 4BS Wright

 

CREW #6; 4th Squadron (as of July 28, 1944)

Mission #45 July 28, 1944 44-40420 E/A Wright (ground spare – taken over and flown by Heath)

Mission #46 July 29, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Mission #47 July 31, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Mission #48 August 1, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Mission #49 August 2, 1944 42-52755 D/F 18BS Wright

Mission #51 August 4, 1944 42-94799 E/E 4BS Wright The Paper Doll

Mission #52 August 5, 1944 44-40486 E/W 4BS Wright Cokey Flo

Mission #55 August 8, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Mission #57 August 11, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Mission #59 August 14, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Mission #63 August 24, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright (Aborted – mechanical)

 

MISSION AND CREW DETAILS

 

CREW #6; 4th Squadron Dynamite ‘n Dodo

WRIGHT, NOBLE E (P) (1024)                           2LT         4              O-811486

SCALES, DAVID (CP) (1024)                             2LT         4              O-817539

GORDON, MILTON (N) (1034)                          2LT         4              O-703627 

HILDERBRAND, THOMAS H (B) (1035)        2LT         4              O-698013

JONES, DELMONT (AEG) (748)                        S/SGT     4              39908714

HUDSON, RAWLEY T JR (ROG) (757)            S/SGT     4              34687004

STARKS, William M (AG) (612)                        SGT        4              17072467

DEVINE, THOMAS F (BG) (611)                       SGT        4              32351747

BALDWIN, GEORGE W (BG) (784)                  SGT        4              34641933

 

Mission #1 May 23, 1944 42-94775 D/M 4BS Wright unknown name

Took off at 0538 hours from Hardstand #9.

Flew position 4-2 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped the bombs short at 0851 hours from 15,000 feet.

"In pattern, but short. 18th direct hit."

Slight damage reported.

#3 and #4 carb, air temperature gauges inoperative. Throttles need synchronizing. Inspected and repaired.

Landed 1152 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hildebrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Biksey (BG)

Baldwin (G)

 

                     May 24, 1944 Wright

Crew Status Report 1700 hours.

Crew #6; 4th Squadron

Wright, N. (P)                       OK

Scales, D. (CP)                      OK

Gordon, M. (N)                     OK

Hildebrand, T. (B)                OK

Hudson, H. (R)                     OK

Jones, D. (E)                          OK

Devine, T. (NG)                    OK

Starks, T. (TG)                      OK

Biksey, J. (BG)                      OK

Baldwin, G (G)                       OK

 

Mission #3 May 25, 1944 42-94811 D/K 4BS Wright Tommy Thumper II

Took off at 0518 hours.

Flew position 4-1 in Low Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Did not drop. Brought all bombs back to base.

No damage reported.

Landed 1043 hours.

Large Oxygen bottle leaks. Inspected and replaced. Upper turret oxygen regulator completely inoperative at altitude. Inspected and replaced. Station #4 oxygen hose removed. Inspected and replaced. Gyro compass has too much lag. Inspected and replaced.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hildebrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #4 May 27, 1944 42-52707 D/P 4BS Wright Open Season

Took off at 0836 hours.

Flew position 1-3 in High Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1357 hours from 21,900 feet.

Damage reported as slight to none.

Landed 1610 hours.

#1 Prop governor stuck. Inspected and repaired.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Hildebrand (N)

Hudson (R)

Jones, D. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #5 May 28, 1944 42-94815 B/B 4BS Wright Frivolous Sal

Took off at 1026 hours from Hardstand #15.

Flew position 4-2 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1457 hours from 21,500 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1802 hours.

#2 cylinder head temperature out. Inspected and repaired.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hudson (R)

Jones, D. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

                     May 29, 1944 41-29522 ?/? Wright

Took off at 1355 hours on a Local flight.

Landed 1747 hours.

 

Mission #7 May 30, 1944 42-94780 L/M Wright Smitty

Unused ground spare on stand by on Hardstand #20

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Hildebrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Biksey (BG)

Baldwin (G)

 

                     May 30, 1944 41-29522 D/F Wright

Took off at 1646 hours on a local flight.

Landed 1747 hours.

 

                     May 31, 1944 41-29560 D/L Wright

Took off at 1700 hours on a local flight.

Landed 1944 hours.

 

Mission #13 June 7, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Took off at 1651 hours.

Flew position 3-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. One Bomb dropped by mistake on the Primary target, 11 bombs brought back..

Landed at Station 131, Nuthamstead Hertz. Will need gas in order to return to home base.

Three flak holes in right horizontal stabilizer.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hildebrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, D. (E)

Biksey (G)

Stark (G)

Devine (G)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #14 June 11, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright (incorrectly shown on a couple of forms as 2775)

Took off at 0452 hours.

Was to fly position 4-3 in Low Squadron.

Carried 24 250 lb GP bombs. Brought back all bombs to base due to ABORT.

Aborted at 14,000 feet after having lost two turbo superchargers, rendering further climb impractical.

No battle damage reported.

Landed 0803 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Hildebrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Biksey (BG)

Baldwin (G)

Litsey (Photographer)

 

Mission #15 June 12, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Took off at 0517 hours.

Flew position 3-1 in High Squadron.

Carried 24 250 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0910 hours from 22,600 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1112 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Hildebrand (B)

Peterman (R)         (from Crew #2)

Jones (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Biksey (BG)

Baldwin (TT)

 

Mission #17 June 17, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Took off at 1655 hours.

Flew position 4-1 in Low Squadron.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2023 hours from 17,000 feet.

Major battle damage reported.

Landed 2245 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hudson (R)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Biksey (BG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #18 June 20, 1944 44-40476 B/I 4BS Wright unknown name

Took off at 0446 hours.

Landed at 0515 hours due to gas leak due to missing gas cap.

Took off again at 0540 hours.

Was to fly position 2-1 of Lead Squadron, but never reached the formation.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Returned all bombs to base.

Aborted - #4 turbocharger out

Landed 1016 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hudson (R)

Jones (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Biksey (BG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #19 June 20, 1944 44-40438 D/M 4BS Wright unknown name

Took off at 1803 hours.

Flew position 4-1 in Group C (4th)

Carried 52 100 lb GP bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 2059 hours from 22,800 feet.

No battle damage reported.

Landed 2226 hours.

No Crew Loading list available.

 

Mission #20 June 22, 1944 44-40441 D/N 4BS Wright Floogie Boo

Took off at 1502 hours.

Flew position 3-1 in Low Squadron.

Carried a K-21 camera.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1917 hours from 19,400 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 2204 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

                       June 23, 1944 42-52755 D/F Wright

Took off at 1630 hours on a flight to Sudbury.

Landed 2037 hours.

 

Mission #22 June 24, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Took off at 0442 hours.

Flew in Lead Squadron.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0817 hours from 21,800 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1007 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #24 June 25, 1944 41-28878 B/J 4BS Wright The Heavenly Body

Took off at 0428 hours.

Flew with the 34th BG Squadron, flying with two 493rd BG Squadrons.

Carried 52 100 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0825 hours from 19,400 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1038 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #27 June 28, 1944 44-40441 D/N 4BS Wright Floogie Boo 

Took off at 0408 hours.

Flew position 3-1 in Low Squadron (Lead and High Squadron were from the 486th BG)

Carried 24 250 lb bombs. Brought all bombs back to base.

Recalled at 0710 hours while 15 miles NW of La Havre.

No damage reported.

Landed 0820 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #28 June 29, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Took off at 0530 hours.

Flew position 4-1 in Lead Squadron.

Aborted. Supercharger trouble.

Landed 0718 hours. No sortie.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #30 July 6, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright (incorrectly shown as D/L)

Took off at 0532 hours.

Flew position 1-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 20 250 lb bombs. Dropped 18 bombs on the Primary at 0910 hours from 24,000 feet. Brought 2 bombs back to base.

No damage reported

Landed 1012 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

                       July 8, 1944 42-94799 E/F Wright The Paper Doll

Took off at 1719 hours.

No landing time recorded.

Did Wright take off, land somewhere else and Tuttle flew the plane back to Mendlesham?

 

Mission #33 July 9, 1944 42-52755 D/F Wright

Took off at 1023 hours.

Flew position 4-1 in High Squadron, A Group.

Landed 1538 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #34 July 12, 1944 42-94908 E/E 4BS Wright Tiger Rag

Took off at 0457 hours.

Flew position 3-1 in Low Squadron.

Carried 20 250 lb GP bombs. Did not drop due to 10/10 cloud. Brought all bombs back to base.

No damage reported.

Landed 0937 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #36 July 17, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Took off at 0634 hours.

Flew position 4-1 in High Squadron.

Carried a camera.

Carried 5 1000 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 1051 hours from 20,300 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1305 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #37 July 18, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Took off at 0536 hours.

Flew position 3-1 in Low Squadron.

Carried 46 100 lb Fragmentation bombs. Dropped on Primary at 0846 hours from 16,600 feet.

No battle damaged reported.

Landed 1038 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #39 July 20, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright (Aborted – mechanical)

Took off at 0726 hours.

Flew position 3-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb GP bombs. Jettisoned all bombs at 1037 hours.

Left formation prior to target due to loss of #1 engine.

Landed 1213 hours.

Credited with a sortie.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #40 July 21, 1944 42-94755 D/D 4BS Wright Weary Willie

Took off at 0602 hours.

Flew position 1-3 in High Squadron.

Carried 10 500 lb bombs. Dropped on Walldurn marshalling yards, 4935N-0922E, at 1053 hours from 24,700 feet.

Landed 1318 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #44 July 27, 1944 44-40276 E/C 4BS Wright

Took off at 0522 hours.

Flew position 2-1 in High Squadron on 34BG.

Carried 6 1000 lb bombs. Dropped on the Secondary at 0900 hours from 21,800 feet.

Slight battle damage reported.

Landed 1027 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R)

Jones, J. (E)

Biksey (BG)

Starks (TG)

Devine (NG)

Baldwin (G)

 

CREW #6; 4th Squadron (as of July 28, 1944)

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hawley (R)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Biksey (BG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #45 July 28, 1944 44-40420 E/A Wright (ground spare – taken over and flown by Heath)

 

Mission #46 July 29, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Took off at 0459 hours.

Flew position 4-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried a K-21 camera, sortie.

Carried 12 500 lb bombs. Dropped on the Primary at 0847 hours from 20,400 feet.

No damage reported.

Landed 1030 hours.

#4 generator inoperative. Inspected and repaired.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R) (a write-in)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #47 July 31, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Took off at 0936 hours.

Flew position 2-3 in Lead Squadron.

Carried a strike camera.

Carried 20 250 lb bombs. Dropped on Primary at 1309 hours from 22,500 feet.

No battle damage reported.

Landed 1459 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hildebrand (B)

Hudson (R) (a write-in)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #48 August 1, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

 

Mission #49 August 2, 1944 42-52755 D/F 18BS Wright

Took off at 1550 hours.

Landed 2056 hours.

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R) (a write-in)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #51 August 4, 1944 42-94799 E/E 4BS Wright The Paper Doll

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R) (a write-in)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #52 August 5, 1944 44-40486 E/W 4BS Wright Cokey Flo

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R) (a write-in)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Mission #55 August 8, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R) (a write-in)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Biksey (BG)

Pevoroff (Photographer)

 

Mission #57 August 11, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R) (a write-in)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Baldwin (G)

Peroroff (Photographer)

 

Mission #59 August 14, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R) (a write-in)

Jones, D. (E)

Devine (NG)

Starks (TG)

Baldwin (G)

Pevoroff (Photographer)

 

Mission #63 August 24, 1944 42-52755 D/F 4BS Wright (Aborted – mechanical)

Wright (P)

Scales (CP)

Gordon (N)

Hilderbrand (B)

Hudson (R) (a write-in)

Jones, D. (E)

Starks (TG)

Biksey (BG)

Baldwin (G)

 

Crew #6; 4th Squadron (Still listed as of September 17, 1944)

 

                       September 17, 1944 Wright

Wright, NE crew at Flak Shack.