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  F-7B "Idle Curiosity" Serial Number 44-40423  
USAAF
5th AF
6th PRG
20th CMS

Click For Enlargement
20th CMS c1944

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 4359. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-160-CO Liberator serial number 44-40423. Converted to F-7B photographic reconnaissance version. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (6th PRG), 20th Combat Mapping Squadron (20th CMS). Assigned to pilot Toye. Nicknamed "Idle Curiosity" with the nose art of a Walt Disney Donald Duck holding a pair of binoculars. This F-7B flew seventeen photographic reconnaissance missions over New Guinea and the Philippines.

Mission History
On October 4, 1944 this F-7B suffered a nose gear collapse during takeoff on Biak. Afterwards, written off. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-160-CO Liberator 44-40423
"40423 converted to F-7B (20th CMS) destroyed Oct 4, 1944 landing at Biak after damaging its nose gear during takeoff."

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Last Updated
November 23, 2022

 

Tech Information
F-7B
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