Salvage of B-24H s/n 42-7638 "Big Banner"

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Read more details about the crash and the fate of the crew here: https://www.zzairwar.nl/dossiers/148.html

"File 148. 1943-12-22/22 B-24 H 42-7638 Miller Lake IJsselmeer south

Returned from Münster high above the clouds. Two engines damaged by the Münster-Flak, lost speed and altitude. Near the south-eastern coastline of Lake IJsselmeer (Old Zuyder Sea), the other a/c in the formation witnessed aircraft '638' gliding down under the clouds, out of further view. Pilot gave order to jump, 3 men bailed out (drowned). Eventually the B-24 belly landed, unseen, in the icecold lake. Weather conditions were bad. Co-pilot Charles Taylor was picked up by a German boat by coincidence, only survivor. Wreck recovered 1975 with 4 MIA on board. In the final clearing of the wreckage, the 5th MIA was found."

"The crew of 42-7638 is commemorated by a permanent exhibition in The National Museum of the US Airforce in Dayton, Ohio. Here are parts that were recovered in 1975 on display, including the 1942-style USAAF marking on the wing. Nice touch are the planks around the glass display (as the construction pit around the wreck in 1975)."
WingB-24H42-7638inMuseumUSA.jpg