I only have the nose art of the B-24H that my dad's crew delivered to England via the Southern Route in Feb 1944. They picked it up new at the Replacement Crew Depot in Topeka, KS and dropped it off at Watton, Norwich (sta. # 376). The tail number should be accompanied by dad's pilot's signature: Lt. Edward G. Leininger at both locations. I assume records would be from ATC (Air Transport Command). My dad was the navigator and his nose art ("Oh My Sufferin' Head") was painted on in the states. It was a Ford built that also still had olive drab paint. A nose art collector gave me a photo and the number 42-100423, but could not be sure of its validity. That plane was a J model and flew with the 44th BG. A listing of their named planes showed none with that nose art. The Leininger crew flew combat with the 389th BG and dad always wondered what happened to 'Sufferin' Head' after they dropped it off. Boneyard beauty or valiant warrior... I'd like to finally complete that chapter.
Anybody with info on what records, where to look would be appreciated!
Anybody with info on what records, where to look would be appreciated!