[Shawn 507]

I was doing a search on B-24s and came up with this outfit. Basically they dropped OSS/SOE guys behind the lines in modified gloss black Liberators. Now if ever there was a bomber Corgi could do. Still does anyone else know of or have any additional info? I could be swayed to do a re-paint of a Corgi B-24, but I'd like to know more ( call letters, serial numbers, markings etc..)
- Shawn

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

I was doing a search on B-24s and came up with this outfit. Basically they dropped OSS/SOE guys behind the lines in modified gloss black Liberators. Now if ever there was a bomber Corgi could do. Still does anyone else know of or have any additional info? I could be swayed to do a re-paint of a Corgi B-24, but I'd like to know more ( call letters, serial numbers, markings etc..)
- Shawn

Ironically, there was a book that had been published about them, & not sold in great numbers........

Vast amounts of them were circulating cut-price, on the English 'airshow' circuit (& still didn't sell !)

I'd remembered their 'nickname' (the 'Carpetbaggers')


There's an excellent website address @ the following (hopefully !) link......... with (at least 3 x pix of) 'Black' B.24's........


http://harringtonmuseum.org.uk/801st492nd.htm


Although they were Re-named "492nd" Bomb Group (in Aug '44) - DON'T confuse them with the ORIGINAL 492nd, who were basically wiped out & subsequently disbanded, having suffered heavier losses than any other B.24 Bomb-Group in the preceeding 3 months
......after missions like Misburg & Politz where one Squadron alone was decimated over the Baltic-Sea, by Me.410's in (literally) minutes
They (the 'original' 492nd) were based at North Pickenham, just outside Swaffham, in Norfolk.


I've seen a colour plate of the 801st's B.24 nicknamed "Black Zombie" with the markings 'J.6' (on fuselage) - individual letter 'Q' on tail

...... & airframe number ' 129602 ' , so maybe a photo exists of that a/c too ?????????

[Shawn 507]

Same website I found. I may hit you up with info on that book and the color plate you mentioned. Would make a nice looking B-24 if Corgi had the nerve to do it.
- Shawn

[mustangdriver]

I volunteered at the museum with a guy that was a Carpet Bagger. He has since passed away, but he had some interesting stories.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

Same website I found.

I may hit you up with info on that book and the color plate you mentioned.

Would make a nice looking B-24 if Corgi had the nerve to do it. - Shawn

" Secret Squadrons of the 8th " (by) Pat Carty, London., Ian Allan (publisher) 1990.

the colour plate, was the only one I came across, in Roger Freeman's (8th A.F. "Bible") "The Mighty Eighth"

no supporting picture, though.

[Shawn 507]

I can't find a copy on google or amazon, any suggestions?

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

I can't find a copy on google or amazon, any suggestions?

To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't lose sleep over it !

If the book were THAT good, I'd have bought it myself, for 'peanuts' money back in the mid-nineties, when it was 'doing the rounds'

Although it's A.4 sized (hardback), it's comparitively thin - you'll find FAR more info' trawling the 'net (with paitience)

As it's evidently out of print (for 17 years), you may find a copy floating around cheaply on E-bay U.K.

[Shawn 507]

Just looking for pictures of the B-24s in black. Giving serious consideration to converting a Corgi.

[mustangdriver]

Here you go man.

[Shawn 507]

Thanks! I'll probably convert the early B-24 as I dont want to ruin a late one trying to scratch that alternate nose green house.