Consolidated B-24 D 42-72875 picture sought

[Capt. Vick]

Gents,

A co-worker of mine recently told me his namesake uncle was navigator on this Liberator that was shot down on November 12, 1943 while on a mission to Bremen, Germany. Sadly he was KIA along with most of the crew. Was wondering if anyone might have access to a picture of this bird. Might have been called "Lady Liberty", coded "K". Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jim

 

[fubar57]

Got a conundrum there with that serial number, Jim. Not listed here... B24BestWeb 16000⊕ PICs - WWII B-24 Liberator Bombers Joe Bauger has this...

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This book...

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...has this. The yes means there is a photo

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Typing that serial number into the above website gives us "Miss Liberty" FreeFind Site Search Results

 

[Geoffrey Sinclair]

13 November 1943, Mission to Bremen

42-72875 B24D-165-CO MACR 2502, 564 Sqn 389 BG, Fighter, 10 KIA, Lady Liberty, Collided with 42-72868 while crashing
42-72868 B24D-165-CO MACR 2501, 565 Sqn 389 BG, Collision, 7KIA, 2 Pow, 1 Evd, Tinker Toy, Hit by Crashing 42-72875

https://digitalarchive.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/Dashboard/Index/14

Research | 8th Air Force Historical Society

www.8thafhs.org

 

[fubar57]

 

[Capt. Vick]

Got a conundrum there with that serial number, Jim. Not listed here... B24BestWeb 16000⊕ PICs - WWII B-24 Liberator Bombers Joe Bauger has this...

View attachment 678374
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This book...

View attachment 678375
​

...has this. The yes means there is a photo

View attachment 678376
​

Typing that serial number into the above website gives us "Miss Liberty" FreeFind Site Search Results

Great information my friend. Thank you. Another observer recorded the opposite happening. According to a statement from Richard C. Coleman, 1st Lt, Air Corps:

"On 13 November 1943 at approximately 1120 the undersigned saw plane 42-72868 crash into plane 42-72875. Plane 42-72875 passed over from the left of our plane and went to the right and fell into position 300 to 400 yards off our right wing. Another B-24D, 42-72868 came over and smashed into plane 42-72875. The no. 4 engine of plane 42-72868 hit behind the No. 1 engine of plane 42-72875. Plane 42-72868 immediately broke up and the other plane went into an almost vertical dive. We followed the plane from our position and saw it go down for 2000 to 3000 feet."

I don't know if the who, what or where can ever be answered at this point, but the hunt for a possible picture goes on. Interesting that the name might actually be "Miss Liberty". That is a gem.

Connelly Jr., Sam R.