Damaged B-24 Liberator England, assembly formation ship of the 453rd Bomb Group 735th Bomb Squadron.
The B-24 Liberator, serial number 41-23738, initially named “Wham Bam,” underwent training with the 44th Bomb Group before being assigned to the 93rd Bomb Group. However, it was soon transferred to the 453rd Bomb Group to serve as an assembly aircraft.
Stripped of its defensive armament, the bomber was fitted with transparent domes to replace its turrets. Its original olive green camouflage was overlaid with a checkerboard pattern in yellow. The aircraft’s tail markings evolved from a diagonal white band to a white circle, both displaying the group’s “J” identifier. The distinctive “Bugs Bunny/Wham Bam” nose art remained. Later, large “J” symbols with navigation lights were added to the fuselage.
Tragically, “Wham Bam” crashed during takeoff on January 1, 1945. Despite being salvaged in May of that year, the damage was deemed irreparable.