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eduard
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Info Eduard - May 2011
HISTORY
eduard
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Info Eduard - May 2011
Inight photo of B-24D, s/n 41-11766 „Chug-A-Lug“
during return from her last 105th mission. Among of them
there were also three „trips“ over Ploesti.
- Lt. Reuben J. Weltha crew at nose of their distinguished
B-24D „Chug-A-Lug“ after returning from her last 105th
combat mission (Manduria base, Italy).
B-24D-CO, s/n 41-11766, „Chug-a-Lug“
B-24D-CO, s/n 41-11613, „The Blue Streak“
B-24D-CO s/n 41-11766, 9th AF, 98th BG, 345th
BS, Lecce AB, Italy, Summer, 1944.
This aircraft, commanded by 1st Lt. Leroy B.
Morgan, took part on August 1st, 1943, in a raid
on Ploesti, in Romania. The 98th BG ‘Pyramiders’
dispatched 48 Liberators. The return from the Bal-
kan hell that ensued saw only thirteen, one of which
was ‘Chug-a-Lug’. The remaining aircraft either
didn’t even make it as far Ploesti, were shot down,
or were forced to land at Malta, Sicily, and Cyprus.
Chug-A-Lug returned from Ploesti a further two
times. After surviving 105 combat missions, it was
called back to the States on July 19th, 1944, whe-
re it went on a War Bond Tour. The typical USA-
AF desert scheme consisted of Sand over Neutral
Gray. Not typical was the placement of the natio-
B-24D-CO, s/n 41-11613, 9th AF, 376th BG, 514th
BS, San Pancrazio AB, Italy, February, 1944.
This aircraft was delivered to the USAAF on March
29, 1942, when it arrived at Mobile Air Depot. Less
than a month later, on April 22, it was assigned
to the HALPRO Unit (Halverson Provisional Unit).
This unit was commanded by Col. Harry A. Halver-
son and was destined for the 10th AF for combat
over China. Ultimately, this didn’t happen, and the
aircraft remained in Northern Africa. HALPRO
transferred to the 376th Bombardment Group
‘Liberandos’ in October, 1942. The aircraft ca-
nal insignia on the tops of both wings. The fuselage
marking went through an interesting evolution. Af-
ter June, this marking was complemented by white
bars on the sides, and received a red outline as per
orders, with this being replaced by blue after two
months. On black and white period photographs,
there is a contrast between the fresh blue outline
and the blue of the insignia, caused by the heavy
climatic weathering on the paints.
The renderings of the babes on both sides of the
nose were inspired, as was the norm, by so-called
‘pin-up’ girls. Pin-up girls perforated Anglo-Ame-
rican culture from the nineteenth century. Typically,
this took the form of models and actresses in pro-
vocative clothing and poses. Specically, the extre-
mely well rendered drawings of Alberto Vargas,
George Petty and Gil Elvgren were very popular
inspirations. The term ‘pin-up’ comes from the fact
that many of these drawings and paintings were
included in centrefolds and calendars and were of-
ten pined up on a wall.
rried several names, the rst being ‘Florence Jo
Jo’, followed by ‘Teggie Ann’ and nally ‘The Blue
Streak’. This aircraft ew a total of 110 missions
with the 376th BG. It was then decided to include
it in the War Bond Tour. The aircraft was sent back
to the States, where, commanded by Capt. Ralph
Thompson, it began its participation in the tour
in February, 1944. In preparation for the tour,
and during the tour itself, the aircraft underwent
minor appearance changes. The basis of the deco-
rations was the mission markers, and the map that
documented the area of operations, and included
crew names, groundcrew names, and their awards.
With the names on the left side of the rear of the
aircraft, there are ribbons corresponding to the
Distinguished Flying Cross awards, Legion of Merit,
Air Medal, and others. Multiple awards were re-
presented by an Oak Leaf Cluster. The Olive Drab
color on the top was combined with Deep Sky Blue
on the lower surfaces, and by the time of the tour,
it was clear that this airplane had a history. Freshly
painted areas were evident, indicated on black and
white photographs as darker elds. The scheme on
this aircraft came about in an interesting way. It was