USAAF 41-31705 Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder

41-31705 Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder

1941031705, 41-31705 Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder fate: wfu group-squadron: 387BG559BS Remarks: 387BG559BS (Chipping Ongar) - Tiger Tails Code:TQ-K Name:King Size War Weary Dec 6, 1944. His plane (King Size) was named by him - he was 6' 5 and because of his height had to join the RCAF to get into flying training in 1942 and transferred back to the US later. The nose art on his plane was applied at Detroit after he picked up the plane at the factory. He then flew it over the North Atlantic stopping at Reykjevik, Iceland on the way to England and the war. He arrived in England about June, 1943. Bernard went on to fly a total of 50 missions and 10 sorties and was ground liaison later in France. He died Feb. 1, 1998. Pilot 1. Lt. Bernard H Thompson Copilot 2. Lt. Charles R Esparzo Bomb/Nav 2. Lt. Irving M Lorman
E/Gunner Pfc. Kenneth D Ickes R/Gunner T/Sgt. Frederick W Roth Gunner S/Sgt. John D Larson Passenger T/Sgt. Charles L SmithThe above crew, less the passenger flew its first mission in King Size Jul 31, 1943 a diversionary sweep. King Size went on to complete 118 combat missions being retired from combat as War Weary Dec 15, 1944. Disposal-Date: