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Dates |
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Event |
1941 |
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Constructed as a B-24D-25-CO by Consolidated at San Diego, CA, USA. |
Circa 1941 |
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Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 41-24311. |
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Transferred to 98th Bomber Group Pyramiders.
Operated with markings: white 4 |
August 1943 |
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During a raid on the petroleum refineries in Ploesti, Romania. 41-24311 was the first aircraft on the left flank of Col. John R. Kane, who was heading Flight One, as group leader. Whilst on approach to the target, an anti-aircraft shell went through the nose section and exploded causing great damage. Bombardier Storm died instantly as a result of chest injuries received from shrapnel fragments. Navigator Tabacoff was also wounded. Engine no 2 had also stopped. Engineer Page manually operated the bomb-bay and released the bombs to lose some of the weight. |
August 1943 |
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Damaged.
The aircraft was seriously damaged. They set off on their return journey towards Benghazi. However, after a while they realized this was not possible and changed their heading towards the British Air Base in Cyprus via Turkey. Engine no 3 stopped over Anatolia. At a position past he Taurus Mountains the oil pressure for engine no 1 began to decrease rapidly. As it was clear that they were not going to reach Cyprus, the decided to land on Turkeys Mediterranean coast. |
August 1943 |
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Crashed.
The aircraft lost its last two engines near Manavgat while trying to land. One of its wings touched the water causing the aircraft to crash and sink rapidly. The pilot and co-pilot could not escape from the aircraft. The crew who survived reached the coast by swimming. Their first medical aid came from the Turkish villagers who rescued them. The wounded were then transferred to the American Hospital (Amiral Bristol) in Istanbul. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared these people Shipwrecked Mariners thus allowing them to leave freely once their treatment was completed. |
December 1997 |
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To Rahmi M. Koc Museum, Istanbul, Istanbul.
 View the Location Dossier |
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Markings Applied: Hadleys Harem |
14 November 2012 |
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Photographer: David Bladen
Notes: Displayed at the Rahni M Koc Museum in Istanbul, Turkey - Consolidated B24 Liberator 41-24311, HadleyaCOs Harem, was one of a group of aircraft that left Benghazi in Libya, on 1st August 1943, to attack the oil refinery at Ploesti in Romania. As it approached the target, the B24 was hit by a shell, causing a fatality and serious damage. The crew managed to drop their bombs and then set course for home.Subsequent engine problems led to a decision to divert to Cyprus, but the aircraft couldnaCOt maintain flight and it ditched in the sea off the coast of Antalya in Turkey.The nose section and other major components were raised from the seabed in 1995. |
14 November 2012 |
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Photographer: David Bladen
Notes: Displayed at the Rahni M Koc Museum in Istanbul, Turkey |
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An preliminary review of the submitted data is pending.
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