Pictures of B24Js of the 15th AF

Hello
I am looking for pictures of B24J models of the 343rd bomb squadron, 98th bomb group, 47th wing of the 15th AF.
They were stationed in Lecce, Italy from 1 NOV 43 until APR 45. My Uncle was killed in action on 22 FEB 44 and I am trying to build a model of the plane he flew in. The squadron changed its markings several times and although I can find several different marking patterns I am looking for the pattern in use in the first months of 1944.
Your help is greatly appreciated.

dave3017 said:

Hello
I am looking for pictures of B24J models of the 343rd bomb squadron, 98th bomb group, 47th wing of the 15th AF.
They were stationed in Lecce, Italy from 1 NOV 43 until APR 45. My Uncle was killed in action on 22 FEB 44 and I am trying to build a model of the plane he flew in. The squadron changed its markings several times and although I can find several different marking patterns I am looking for the pattern in use in the first months of 1944.
Your help is greatly appreciated.

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Hey Dave. What was his name or perhaps name of bomber or serial? Maar number perhaps? Crew mates

Based on your information the only 343BS, 98BG aircraft lost on Feb 22, 1944 was,

but he may have been killed on an aircraft that returned to base. You would need to provide that information.



MACR - https://catalog.archives.gov/id/90928058?objectPage=6

Snautzer01 said:

Hey Dave. What was his name or perhaps name of bomber or serial? Maar number perhaps? Crew mates

Click to expand...

42-731138-U was the serial of the plane. My Uncle's name was Harold Cleburn Carter. I have the missing aircrew report.

dave3017 said:

42-731138-U was the serial of the plane. My Uncle's name was Harold Cleburn Carter. I have the missing aircrew report.

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Consolidated B-24J-15-CO Liberator 42-73138 named Miss Fortune / Butch MACR 2726, i think.

Flew to Plzen, bombed Skoda Works test field, turned SW...followed by German fighters, right wing explodes... only Sgt.Raymond Noury falls from plane 1st Lt.George Goddard, 2nd Lt.Haig Kandarian,Lt. Joseph Altemus, Lt. Charles Spickard and Staff Sgts. Oscar Houser, Harold Carter, Roy Hughes, Rexford Rhodes, John Goldbach and my uncle, Wayne Nelson died.
Sources:

"Operace Argument" by Karel Foud and Jiri Kouloch 2004. p 59-81
Ray Noury's 1945 letter to crew's families
"Miss Fortune's Last Mission" by William Boyce and John H. Torrison 2015

Memorial monument to the Inclinoric obelisk by the Klatovy sculptor Václav Fiala and story: Sestřelení bombardéru Miss Fortune 22. února 1944 – Wikipedie

1. Pilot 1: Lt George M. "Skipper" Goddard
2. 2. pilot: Lt Haig "Kandy" Kandarian
3. navigator: Lt Joseph Frederick "Joe/Altimeter/Star Gazer" Altemus
4. Bomber: Lt Charles Fayne "Spick" Spickard
5. Radio Operator: Sgt Wayneworth Evanson "Lord Nelson" Nelson
6. Sgt Oscar William "Lucky" Houser (replaces patient Adams[3])
7. Sgt Harold Cleburn Carter
8. Sgt Rexford Harwell "Dusty" Rhodes
9. Shooter: Sgt Roy Elton Hughes
10. Stt John Aloysius Goldbach
11. Sgt Raymond A. Noury

1. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/164252
2. USAF Serial Number Search Results
3. 42-73138 | American Air Museum
4. Sestřelení bombardéru Miss Fortune 22. února 1944 – Wikipedie

the pic source: Monument Details

Wojtek, unfortunately this is a different a/c called "Miss Fortune" - whoever created that memorial page just grabbed a photo of a plane, similar to the original. This is a Ford-manufactured B-24H (with a Vargas-style nose art) - the one Dave is looking for is a Consolidated-manufactured B-25J. The cover photo of a book, mentioned earlier is not the a/c in question as well (it shows a B-24D called "Chug-a-Lug") .

Dave, the standard markings in the beginning of 1944, before April are shown below (98th BG. should carry them by January 1944):

The scheme you can use is this one, with the letter "U" in colour (yellow):

BTW this is a B-24J-10 from the 343rd BS. manufactured in a different plant. You should check the details (turrets, navigator's windows, nose fairing behind the turret etc.) of Consolidated (San Diego)-manufactured a/c - see scheme below. And this is a different a/c from the same 98th BG: a Consolidated-manufactured B-24J-105. Note that the old RAF fin-flash is still present!

The fuselage band is yellow but I don't know more about the time frame of its use. The above photo is from July 1944. Note the size and position of the national markings (completely under the waist window).
I'm adding 2excerpts from the book "Consolidated Mess" with b-15 characteristics and Consolidated (San Diego) camo-patterns:


Cheers!

Excellent !