43-22424 - Revision history

WikiSysop at 00:06, 25 June 2022

2022-06-25T00:06:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:06, 25 June 2022
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	See also: [[List of Invaders by Serial Number]]		See also: [[List of Invaders by Serial Number]]

			Watch the video we made on this plane here: https://youtu.be/MULLisD7izw

	Identifying Marks: "225" on the fuselage.		Identifying Marks: "225" on the fuselage.

Admin2 at 19:44, 22 February 2019

2019-02-22T19:44:23Z

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	[[Category:Needs Research]]		[[Category:Needs Research]]
	[[Category:Need Photo]]		[[Category:Need Photo]]
			[[Category:Destryoed in Crash]]

Admin2: /* Operational History */

2019-02-22T19:43:26Z

Operational History

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:43, 22 February 2019
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	==Operational History==		==Operational History==
	~~33rd Ferry Squadron~~, ~~556th Army Air Force Base Unit.~~		From AFHRA, transcript of Record Card:

	* Nov 1944 - Built at Douglas Tulsa, OK plant.		*30 Nov 1944 - Built at Douglas Tulsa, OK plant.
	*13 Dec 1944 - ~~Flown from DT plant~~ to ~~unknown AB in~~ FL.		*2 Dec 1944 - Assigned to 302nd AAF Base Unit (Staging Area, Third Air Force). Arrived at Hunter AAF, GA via Memphis AAF, TN.
	*14 Dec 1944 - Departed ~~unknown AB in~~ FL to travel to Belem, Brazil~~. (Based on information from correspondence from family of the crew - See MACR 14085 (below))~~.		*13 Dec 1944 - Assigned to South Atlantic Wing, Air Transport Command, Morrison AAF, FL.
			*14 Dec 1944 - Departed Morrison AAF, FL for assignment to 9th Air Force, European Theater of Operations (ETO). The route is hoping down from FL to travel to Belem, Brazil.
	*15 Dec 1944 - Lost during non-combat mission from Belem, Brazil to Natal, Brazil. The flight departed at 1534 GMT, but never arrived at Natal. The plane disappeared between Belem and the first check in point at Sao Luiz.		*15 Dec 1944 - Lost during non-combat mission from Belem, Brazil to Natal, Brazil. The flight departed at 1534 GMT, but never arrived at Natal. The plane disappeared between Belem and the first check in point at Sao Luiz.
			*27 DEC 1944 - Dropped from USAF Inventory due to loss while ferrying over Brazil.

	From the letter from Sgt. Smith's father it appears as though some Search and Rescue efforts were undertaken, however records of these efforts are not included in the MACR file.		From the letter from Sgt. Smith's father it appears as though some Search and Rescue efforts were undertaken, however records of these efforts are not included in the MACR file.

Admin2: /* Next Steps= */

2019-02-22T19:35:27Z

Next Steps=

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:35, 22 February 2019
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	IHF Researcher Ryan Rees has floated another hypothesis, that the plane was shot out of the sky by a German U-Boat lurking off of the coast of Brazil. Ryan discovered an article talking about the military service of a man stationed at Belem, Brazil, and in the article he talks about a plane (not an Invader) being shot down by a U-boat. (https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-veterans-day-war-story-fritz-20131110-story.html) Of course, in this article the plane moved to attack the U-Boat and was shot down by return fire from the boat's deck gun. It is as-yet unclear exactly what flight plan planes from Belem to Natal took. If the planes flew hugging the coast, then this could certainly be a possibility. However, if the plane flew a more direct path, overland, the deck gun would not have the range to make the shot.		IHF Researcher Ryan Rees has floated another hypothesis, that the plane was shot out of the sky by a German U-Boat lurking off of the coast of Brazil. Ryan discovered an article talking about the military service of a man stationed at Belem, Brazil, and in the article he talks about a plane (not an Invader) being shot down by a U-boat. (https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-veterans-day-war-story-fritz-20131110-story.html) Of course, in this article the plane moved to attack the U-Boat and was shot down by return fire from the boat's deck gun. It is as-yet unclear exactly what flight plan planes from Belem to Natal took. If the planes flew hugging the coast, then this could certainly be a possibility. However, if the plane flew a more direct path, overland, the deck gun would not have the range to make the shot.

	===Next Steps====		===Next Steps===
	I want to stress that all of the scenarios outlined above are simply hypothetical solutions to this problem. At this point any one could be correct, as well as some other possibility that we did not consider. None of these scenarios should be taken as an authoritative, definitive answer without additional evidence. The best evidence would be to locate the remains of the plane in Brazil. However, failing that, local newspaper articles from Brazil that talk about either a plane crash or contemporary eye-witness accounts that talk about an explosion would be helpful.		I want to stress that all of the scenarios outlined above are simply hypothetical solutions to this problem. At this point any one could be correct, as well as some other possibility that we did not consider. None of these scenarios should be taken as an authoritative, definitive answer without additional evidence. The best evidence would be to locate the remains of the plane in Brazil. However, failing that, local newspaper articles from Brazil that talk about either a plane crash or contemporary eye-witness accounts that talk about an explosion would be helpful.

	Our next steps will be to examine newspaper archives of Brazil for more information, to attempt to locate documents detailing flight plans between Belem and Natal with more detail, as well as examine other planes that were lost in the same area with the few days before and after the loss of 43-22424 in order to determine if there any patterns that can be discerned from the data.		Our next steps will be to examine newspaper archives of Brazil for more information, to attempt to locate documents detailing flight plans between Belem and Natal with more detail, as well as examine other planes that were lost in the same area with the few days before and after the loss of 43-22424 in order to determine if there any patterns that can be discerned from the data.

	==Operational History==		==Operational History==

WikiSysop at 18:53, 28 December 2018

2018-12-28T18:53:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:53, 28 December 2018
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	This plane was lost on 15 Dec 1944. It disappeared over the jungle of Brazil on a routine, non-combat transfer flight. It was intended to be delivered to Grossetto, Italy and the 47th Bomb Group. No wreckage or bodies were ever found or recovered, and as such, the exact cause of the disappearance cannot be determined. I will continue to search the archives for mention of this plane. If you happen to know any of details of this plane, please let us know.		This plane was lost on 15 Dec 1944. It disappeared over the jungle of Brazil on a routine, non-combat transfer flight. It was intended to be delivered to Grossetto, Italy and the 47th Bomb Group. No wreckage or bodies were ever found or recovered, and as such, the exact cause of the disappearance cannot be determined. I will continue to search the archives for mention of this plane. If you happen to know any of details of this plane, please let us know.

			==Disappearance Hypothesis==
	Based on my research there are two main possibilities that could account for the disappearance of this plane, although both of these hypothesis have their faults. There are certainly other possibilities as well, but I think they are less likely. Before we get into the possibilities behind the disappearance, let's review some facts.		Based on my research there are two main possibilities that could account for the disappearance of this plane, although both of these hypothesis have their faults. There are certainly other possibilities as well, but I think they are less likely. Before we get into the possibilities behind the disappearance, let's review some facts.
	1. The plane did not make it to the first control station at Sao Luis, Brazil, roughly 1 hour (~300 miles) from their departure point of Belem, Brazil. Whatever happened to the plane almost certainly happened within the first hour.		1. The plane did not make it to the first control station at Sao Luis, Brazil, roughly 1 hour (~300 miles) from their departure point of Belem, Brazil. Whatever happened to the plane almost certainly happened within the first hour.
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	3. The Search and Rescue effort produced no clues at all.		3. The Search and Rescue effort produced no clues at all.

			===Engine Failure Hypothesis===
	The first possibility is that the plane crashed due to an engine failure. Engine failure was fairly common in the early models of Invaders and led to many aborted missions and accidents. As such, I might even argue that this would be the most statistically likely explanation. However, it raises other questions. If the plane had engine trouble, why didn't the pilot call out a mayday? Why didn't the crew bail out? If the plane crashed into the thick jungle, why didn't it leave some kind of mark on the vegetation showing where it went down? While the most statistically likely cause, the number of other unanswered questions are many.		The first possibility is that the plane crashed due to an engine failure. Engine failure was fairly common in the early models of Invaders and led to many aborted missions and accidents. As such, I might even argue that this would be the most statistically likely explanation. However, it raises other questions. If the plane had engine trouble, why didn't the pilot call out a mayday? Why didn't the crew bail out? If the plane crashed into the thick jungle, why didn't it leave some kind of mark on the vegetation showing where it went down? While the most statistically likely cause, the number of other unanswered questions are many.

			===Fuel Tank Explosion Hypothesis===
	A second possibility is that the 675 gallon extended range fuel tank inside the bomb bay of the plane was ignited and exploded. While much less likely, it is still within the realm of possibility. Several flights over the years have been lost due to fuel tank explosions, among them TWA Flight 800. The fuel tank that was used by the Ferry Groups to transfer the Invaders was not self-sealing, so it could have posed a risk of either a gas leak of fume buildup inside the plane. A mid-air explosion would also answer many of the other questions. Why didn't they radio mayday? Under this scenario, they would not have had the chance. Why didn't they bail out? Again, they wouldn't have had the chance. Additionally, a mid-air explosion also neatly solves the question of why no wreckage was found. If they were looking for an entire plane it would have been easy to miss smaller fragments. Plus smaller pieces can pass through the vegetation canopy of the jungle without leaving as noticeable a trail. And much of the fuel on the plane would have burned off instantly or been dispersed to the point where it burned off quickly, thus mitigating a smoke plume.		A second possibility is that the 675 gallon extended range fuel tank inside the bomb bay of the plane was ignited and exploded. While much less likely, it is still within the realm of possibility. Several flights over the years have been lost due to fuel tank explosions, among them TWA Flight 800. The fuel tank that was used by the Ferry Groups to transfer the Invaders was not self-sealing, so it could have posed a risk of either a gas leak of fume buildup inside the plane. A mid-air explosion would also answer many of the other questions. Why didn't they radio mayday? Under this scenario, they would not have had the chance. Why didn't they bail out? Again, they wouldn't have had the chance. Additionally, a mid-air explosion also neatly solves the question of why no wreckage was found. If they were looking for an entire plane it would have been easy to miss smaller fragments. Plus smaller pieces can pass through the vegetation canopy of the jungle without leaving as noticeable a trail. And much of the fuel on the plane would have burned off instantly or been dispersed to the point where it burned off quickly, thus mitigating a smoke plume.

	I want to stress that ~~both~~ of the scenarios outlined above are simply hypothetical solutions to this problem. At this point ~~either~~ one could be correct, as well as some other possibility that I did not consider. ~~Neither~~ of these scenarios should be taken as an authoritative, definitive answer without additional evidence. The best evidence would be to locate the remains of the plane in Brazil. However, failing that, local newspaper articles from Brazil that talk about either a plane crash or contemporary eye-witness accounts that talk about an explosion would be helpful.		===German Submarine Hypothesis===
			IHF Researcher Ryan Rees has floated another hypothesis, that the plane was shot out of the sky by a German U-Boat lurking off of the coast of Brazil. Ryan discovered an article talking about the military service of a man stationed at Belem, Brazil, and in the article he talks about a plane (not an Invader) being shot down by a U-boat. (https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-veterans-day-war-story-fritz-20131110-story.html) Of course, in this article the plane moved to attack the U-Boat and was shot down by return fire from the boat's deck gun. It is as-yet unclear exactly what flight plan planes from Belem to Natal took. If the planes flew hugging the coast, then this could certainly be a possibility. However, if the plane flew a more direct path, overland, the deck gun would not have the range to make the shot.

			===Next Steps====
			I want to stress that all of the scenarios outlined above are simply hypothetical solutions to this problem. At this point any one could be correct, as well as some other possibility that we did not consider. None of these scenarios should be taken as an authoritative, definitive answer without additional evidence. The best evidence would be to locate the remains of the plane in Brazil. However, failing that, local newspaper articles from Brazil that talk about either a plane crash or contemporary eye-witness accounts that talk about an explosion would be helpful.

			Our next steps will be to examine newspaper archives of Brazil for more information, to attempt to locate documents detailing flight plans between Belem and Natal with more detail, as well as examine other planes that were lost in the same area with the few days before and after the loss of 43-22424 in order to determine if there any patterns that can be discerned from the data.

	==Operational History==		==Operational History==

WikiSysop at 06:12, 18 December 2018

2018-12-18T06:12:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:12, 18 December 2018
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	Based on my research there are two main possibilities that could account for the disappearance of this plane, although both of these hypothesis have their faults. There are certainly other possibilities as well, but I think they are less likely. Before we get into the possibilities behind the disappearance, let's review some facts.		Based on my research there are two main possibilities that could account for the disappearance of this plane, although both of these hypothesis have their faults. There are certainly other possibilities as well, but I think they are less likely. Before we get into the possibilities behind the disappearance, let's review some facts.
	1. The plane did not make it to the first control station at Sao Luis, Brazil, roughly 1 hour (~300 miles) from their departure point of Belem, Brazil. Whatever happened to the plane almost certainly happened within the first hour.		1. The plane did not make it to the first control station at Sao Luis, Brazil, roughly 1 hour (~300 miles) from their departure point of Belem, Brazil. Whatever happened to the plane almost certainly happened within the first hour.
	2. No radio distress calls were ever picked up by any radio station in the area.		2. No radio distress calls were ever picked up by any radio station in the area. This seems to suggest either a problem with the radio equipment, a lax attitude on the part of the pilot and navigator whom were both experienced pilots, or a catastrophe so sudden that they did not have time to respond.
	3. The Search and Rescue effort produced no clues at all.		3. The Search and Rescue effort produced no clues at all.

WikiSysop at 06:06, 18 December 2018

2018-12-18T06:06:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:06, 18 December 2018
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	Identifying Marks: "225" on the fuselage.		Identifying Marks: "225" on the fuselage.

	This plane was lost on 15 Dec 1944. It ~~crashed into~~ the jungle of Brazil on a routine, non-combat flight. ~~Based on the time period involved~~, and the technical problems that other Invaders of this era encountered, my guess is that this plane probably crashed due to engine failure. However, this is only my educated guess looking at accident reports from this time. ~~As far as I have been able to ascertain, no~~ wreckage or bodies were ever found or recovered, and as such, the exact cause of the disappearance cannot be determined. I will continue to search the archives for mention of this plane. If you happen to know any of details of this plane, please let us know.		This plane was lost on 15 Dec 1944. It disappeared over the jungle of Brazil on a routine, non-combat transfer flight. It was intended to be delivered to Grossetto, Italy and the 47th Bomb Group. No wreckage or bodies were ever found or recovered, and as such, the exact cause of the disappearance cannot be determined. I will continue to search the archives for mention of this plane. If you happen to know any of details of this plane, please let us know.

			Based on my research there are two main possibilities that could account for the disappearance of this plane, although both of these hypothesis have their faults. There are certainly other possibilities as well, but I think they are less likely. Before we get into the possibilities behind the disappearance, let's review some facts.
			1. The plane did not make it to the first control station at Sao Luis, Brazil, roughly 1 hour (~300 miles) from their departure point of Belem, Brazil. Whatever happened to the plane almost certainly happened within the first hour.
			2. No radio distress calls were ever picked up by any radio station in the area.
			3. The Search and Rescue effort produced no clues at all.

			The first possibility is that the plane crashed due to an engine failure. Engine failure was fairly common in the early models of Invaders and led to many aborted missions and accidents. As such, I might even argue that this would be the most statistically likely explanation. However, it raises other questions. If the plane had engine trouble, why didn't the pilot call out a mayday? Why didn't the crew bail out? If the plane crashed into the thick jungle, why didn't it leave some kind of mark on the vegetation showing where it went down? While the most statistically likely cause, the number of other unanswered questions are many.

			A second possibility is that the 675 gallon extended range fuel tank inside the bomb bay of the plane was ignited and exploded. While much less likely, it is still within the realm of possibility. Several flights over the years have been lost due to fuel tank explosions, among them TWA Flight 800. The fuel tank that was used by the Ferry Groups to transfer the Invaders was not self-sealing, so it could have posed a risk of either a gas leak of fume buildup inside the plane. A mid-air explosion would also answer many of the other questions. Why didn't they radio mayday? Under this scenario, they would not have had the chance. Why didn't they bail out? Again, they wouldn't have had the chance. Additionally, a mid-air explosion also neatly solves the question of why no wreckage was found. If they were looking for an entire plane it would have been easy to miss smaller fragments. Plus smaller pieces can pass through the vegetation canopy of the jungle without leaving as noticeable a trail. And much of the fuel on the plane would have burned off instantly or been dispersed to the point where it burned off quickly, thus mitigating a smoke plume.

			I want to stress that both of the scenarios outlined above are simply hypothetical solutions to this problem. At this point either one could be correct, as well as some other possibility that I did not consider. Neither of these scenarios should be taken as an authoritative, definitive answer without additional evidence. The best evidence would be to locate the remains of the plane in Brazil. However, failing that, local newspaper articles from Brazil that talk about either a plane crash or contemporary eye-witness accounts that talk about an explosion would be helpful.

	==Operational History==		==Operational History==
	~~569th~~ Army Air Force Base Unit.		33rd Ferry Squadron, 556th Army Air Force Base Unit.

			* Nov 1944 - Built at Douglas Tulsa, OK plant.
			*13 Dec 1944 - Flown from DT plant to unknown AB in FL.
	*14 Dec 1944 - Departed unknown AB in FL to travel to Belem, Brazil. (Based on information from correspondence from family of the crew - See MACR 14085 (below)).		*14 Dec 1944 - Departed unknown AB in FL to travel to Belem, Brazil. (Based on information from correspondence from family of the crew - See MACR 14085 (below)).

	*15 Dec 1944 - Lost during non-combat mission from Belem, Brazil to Natal, Brazil. The flight departed at 1534 GMT, but never arrived at Natal. The plane disappeared between Belem and the first check in point at Sao Luiz.		*15 Dec 1944 - Lost during non-combat mission from Belem, Brazil to Natal, Brazil. The flight departed at 1534 GMT, but never arrived at Natal. The plane disappeared between Belem and the first check in point at Sao Luiz.

WikiSysop: /* Crew */

2018-12-09T17:32:46Z

Crew

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:32, 9 December 2018
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	==Crew==		==Crew==
	*1st Lt. Grimes, Charles A. (Pilot)		*[[1st Lt. Grimes, Charles A.]] (Pilot)
	*1st Lt. Dingwell, Laverne G. (Navigator)		*[[1st Lt. Dingwell, Laverne G.]] (Navigator)
	*Sgt. Smith, Norman Robert "Bob" (Gunner)		*[[Sgt. Smith, Norman Robert "Bob"]] (Gunner)

	==Disposition==		==Disposition==

WikiSysop at 17:29, 9 December 2018

2018-12-09T17:29:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:29, 9 December 2018
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	Identifying Marks: "225" on the fuselage.		Identifying Marks: "225" on the fuselage.

			This plane was lost on 15 Dec 1944. It crashed into the jungle of Brazil on a routine, non-combat flight. Based on the time period involved, and the technical problems that other Invaders of this era encountered, my guess is that this plane probably crashed due to engine failure. However, this is only my educated guess looking at accident reports from this time. As far as I have been able to ascertain, no wreckage or bodies were ever found or recovered, and as such, the exact cause of the disappearance cannot be determined. I will continue to search the archives for mention of this plane. If you happen to know any of details of this plane, please let us know.

	==Operational History==		==Operational History==
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	'''Databases searched:'''		'''Databases searched:'''
	*AAIR - No Entry		*AAIR - No Entry
	*MACR - One Entry		*MACR - One Entry, file attached
	*KORWALD - N/A		*KORWALD - N/A
	*Baugher		*Baugher

			===Further Research===
			*IARC needed
			*Search Brazilian Newspapers and archives for any stories about this plane
			*Search Air Force archives for any mention of this plane

	[[Category:A-26B-20-DT]]		[[Category:A-26B-20-DT]]

WikiSysop: /* Operational History */

2018-12-09T17:13:16Z

Operational History

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:13, 9 December 2018
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	==Operational History==		==Operational History==
	569th Army Air Force Base Unit.		569th Army Air Force Base Unit.

			*14 Dec 1944 - Departed unknown AB in FL to travel to Belem, Brazil. (Based on information from correspondence from family of the crew - See MACR 14085 (below)).

	*15 Dec 1944 - Lost during non-combat mission from Belem, Brazil to Natal, Brazil. The flight departed at 1534 GMT, but never arrived at Natal. The plane disappeared between Belem and the first check in point at Sao Luiz.		*15 Dec 1944 - Lost during non-combat mission from Belem, Brazil to Natal, Brazil. The flight departed at 1534 GMT, but never arrived at Natal. The plane disappeared between Belem and the first check in point at Sao Luiz.

			From the letter from Sgt. Smith's father it appears as though some Search and Rescue efforts were undertaken, however records of these efforts are not included in the MACR file.
	[[File:43-22424_map.JPG]]		[[File:43-22424_map.JPG]]