Carpetbagger B24s

The initial cadre of the group was formed from anti-submarine squadrons already in the UK. They had been flying, for a brief time, out of Dunkeswelle in the 3rd quarter of 1943. As the US Navy was to take over ASW service in the ETO, the men from the 4th and 22nd ASW units were conveniently out of a duty just as requirements were coming in to OSS London for two squadrons of 'sabotage' aircraft and men. Many of the USAAF ASW planes from the two squadrons went straight to Burtonwood for modification as Carpetbagger aircraft. Additional planes declared obsolete by the day-bombardment groups were also modified. These early planes were all D-model B24s, easily identified by the lack of nose turrets and conveniently endowed with a generous amount of plexiglass in the nose, which was of great advantage to the low-flying duties of the squadrons.

H and J models did not show up at Harrington until early June of 1944, after the group had been given two more squadrons sans aircraft from the 467th BG (788th BS) and the 490th BG (850th BS). Later models eventually made their way to Harrington, but only after the intense summer of 1944 combat missions.

B24 pictures here are ordered by the last three letters of their serial number. Where a duplicate of this distinction occurs, a fourth numeral determines the order. If a given aircraft is known to have had artwork, the name(s) are also displayed here. The B24 pictures paged here are by no means inclusive of the Group's aircraft.

42-95152 "Slick Chick II"

44-40172

42-51211 "Miss Fitts"

42-95321

42-50393 "Beverly Joy"

42-50447 "Flying Rumor"

41-29486

42-40506 "Fightin' Sam"

42-52508 "Libra"

44-49523 "Hey Ride"

44-49535 "Sleepy Time Gal"

44-49552