READY TEDDY (V1) B - 24 H - 5 - FO 42-52087 15 451 726 ~ 38

Note: I've started a "New Thread" for this TOPIC!!

Tom    these are the interim markings for the 451BG; when assigned to 47BW in Jan. 1944 they SHOULD have adopted the wing's triangle symbol on the upper tails with a black "5" in a white disc at the bottom ( for the 5th group in the wing). As 5 groups were thought unwieldy the 451st was assigned to the new 49th Wing in April along with the 461st and 484th , and Wing symbol was to be a circle ( the other wings used a square and diamond). As it happened this was the period when there was a complete revision of group-wing markings and full colour ones were begun, it's not thought that the circle was ever employed though at one time a black "1" was marked on Teddy as the first group in the new wing.
By the time "Teddy" was lost in July her markings should have been red top to tail and red disc at bottom, a letter on the rudder added to the number ( apparently "38" on Teddy) on nose-fuselage. This number was usually in white or black on a squadron -colour square ( white on red for the 726th).
I believe the 451st used the hexagon symbol originally as the "odd" group in the 47BW; the white rudder bands on camouflaged aircraft were common for location of the aircraft number or letter when assigned ( 450BG painted the whole rudder white) but nose and rear fuselage were the norm.
A mix of old and new markings was very common in both B-24 and 17 groups at this time in the Fifteenth , much more complicated than in the Eighth.
Regards
Nick
 
 

Hi THB,
  I hope you get this email as this thread is a few months old. I have been doing research on this crew and tragic loss for my whole adult life.  It has been like putting the pieces of a puzzle together.  I just recently found out the name of the aircraft that went down and starting to do research on it's name. My Grandfather was the Pilot of this crew, Capt Franics L Fort, and was KIA when the Ready Teddy went down on this day.  I have a lot of information for you.  The 2 survivors were the co-pilot, Lyle Baker and the Bombadier, Pete Mullory (I think the spelling is right). Both captured and spent aprox 2 years as POWs. My family still keeps in touch w/ the Baker family.  I have a hand typed written account of that fateful day, written by Baker upon his return to the states.
 The most facinating info for me, is that this was the first and only time that this specific crew flew this plane.  As a crew in the states, they were given a brand new B24 aircraft to fly to Europe w/ a stop in North Africa along the way.  They named their new plane, christened her and each painted a personal sentiment or name of a loved one on the side of the plane where they were positioned.  This plane was called the "Urgent Virgin" (must to my grandmother's disapproval). Upon arriving in Italy, the Urgent Virgin was taken away from them and given to a more seasoned crew.  They were split up on their first few missions, and the fateful flight of the Ready was the first time this crew was back together again to fly a mission together. 
  My family has some photos of the crew in the US before they left for the War. I also have pictures of the original plane they served together on, the Urgent Virgin.  I wish you the best of luck.  And please keep me informed if you have info to share.
  I also found a book on Amazon that you may be interested in.  The 451st Bomb group, a pictoral history.  I found it very interesting.
VG