-
Photo taken by Kirby Chase Stafford, Co Pilot with William Van Washburn and crew #034-R2. Appears that he left his Co Pilot position and snapped this photo from behind the pilot's seat while they were flying 44-10448 'Massilon Tiger' in the #2 position of the 2nd Flight of the 3rd (Low Left) Squadron.
The aircraft in center of frame is 42-110168 'The Perfect Lady/Dirty Lil/Old Iron Pants' (flown by Henry Kenneth Close and crew #033-R1) flying in the #3 position of the 2nd Flight of the 3rd (Low Left) Squadron.
The aircraft just above 'Old Iron Pants' is 42-52621 'Silver Dollar' (flown by Robert Miller Winger and crew #031-R3) flying in the #6 position of the 1st (Lead) Flight of the 3rd (Low Left) Squadron
Finally, the aircraft just below is 42-52590 'E Pluribus Aluminum' (flown by Robert Linville. Hutchens and crew #043-R4) flying in the tail position of the 1st (Lead) Flight of the 3rd (Low Left) Squadron
Crew on 'Massilon Tiger' was -
William Van Washburn - Pilot
Kirby Chase Stafford - Co Pilot
William Lester Groves - Navigator
Leslie Harold Edgerton - Toggler
Calvin Collidge Turk - Engineer
Eugene Harvey Jordan - Radio Operator
William Gustave Pallo - Right Waist Gunner
Rodric Louis Villemaire - Left Waist Gunner
Mack Howell Harvey - Tail Turret Gunner
Crew on 'Old Iron Pants' was -
Henry Kenneth Close - Pilot
Edward James Sanicki - Co Pilot
Cornelius Gerald Costigan - Navigator
Paul E Smith - Toggler
Irving David Zimbler - RCM Operator
Edward Kramek - Engineer
George Orren Zeiber - Radio Operator
Lynn Culley - Right Waist Gunner
Hubert L Boyd - Left Waist Gunner
Victor Sheldon Smith - Tail Turret Gunner
Crew on 'Silver Dollar' was -
Robert Miller Winger - Pilot
Joseph Lawrence Casey - Co Pilot
Walter Leroy Parker - Navigator
Ralph Eugene Priest - Toggler
Donald Phillip Cote - Engineer
Wilbur Abraham Lewis - Radio Operator
Joseph Leo Flynn - Top Turret Gunner (most likely Tail Turret)
Emile Joseph Boutin - Right Waist Gunner
Robert John Perkins - Left Waist Gunner
Crew on 'E Pluribus Aluminum' was -
Robert Linville Hutchens - Pilot
Ralph Kenneth Ritter - Co Pilot
Gordon Andrew Buchmiller - Navigator
Jack Maurice Bristow - Toggler
Wallace Ray Skeen - Engineer
Walter Roland Colby - Radio Operator
George Charles Farris - Right Waist Gunner
James Alexander Rollo - Left Waist Gunner
Donald Rudolph Raats - Tail Turret Gunner
James Elmer Wiener - Observer
Source: Kirby Stafford (Vet) -
Photo taken in early February 1944 just before the 467th departed Wendover. The aircraft closest is 42-52590 'E Pluribus Aluminum'. Note that she already has been named and the beginning of nose art applied.
The hangers of the air base can be seen in the background.
Source: 467th BGA Archives -
Ground crew from the 789th BS pose behind 'Silver Chief'.
From L-R:
Samuel Urmson
???
Marvin Cleveland McGhee
Charles "Charlie" Raymond Wagner
George Earl Church
"Silver Chief' is parked at hardstand #17. In the distance on the left are two B-24's parked at hardstand #12. One of them is from the 445th BG.
Underneath the pilot side inborn engine is 42-51289. She is parked at hardstand #14. Underneath the Co Pilots wing is 42-52590 'E Pluribus Aluminum' at hardstand #16.
Just to the right of '590' is one of the "General Purpose Huts" (AMM#101) on the north side of the airfield.
Source: Vernon Mason (Vet)