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  B-24D-65-CO "Gus's Bus" Serial Number 42-40504  
USAAF
380th BG
530th BS

Click For Enlargement
Click For Enlargement
Goh K. Loon 2008

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated in San Diego, CA during March 2 - 13, 1943. Constructors Number 1581.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 380th Bombardment Group, 530th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Gus's Bus" painted in white inside a shamrock.

Mission History
On October 20, 1943 took off from Fenton Airfield on a mission. Returning, this B-24 crash landed, collapsing the right landing gear leg and damaging the right wing, No. 3 and No. 4 engines and nose section. Afterwards, this aircraft was stripped for usable parts and salvaged.

Wreckage
Circa 1970, parts of this bomber were recovered from Fenton Airfield including one of the tail stabilizers.

Display
The recovered pieces are displayed at the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre. Inside the fuselage, is a photo gallery.

References
380th.org - B-24D "Gus's Bus" 42-40504
380th.org - B-24D "Gus's Bus" 42-40504 Mission Record
Under the Southern Cross page 81
Best in the Southwest page 46, 75, 91
King of the Heavies page 150
Thanks to Australian Aviation Heritage Centre / Owen Veal for additional information

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Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
November 9, 2019

 

Tech Information
B-24
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