B-24 from 856 BS/492 BG
 

Piece of advice needed. On this picture (sorry - quality in not good but I had to make it smaller because of attachment requirements) B 24 from 856.BS can be seen - 5Z code plus typical black stripe on a tail. (should be also "G" on it but because of the trees and poor resolution cannot be visible). I'm curious about those white or black and white stripes. There are two others Liberators on the left hand side: one from 445.BG and 389.BG behind, but without stripes.
Two different razorbacks: one with and second without stripes. Could someone let me know when, where and on which occasion this picture was taken? Number of people and motorbikes is unusual for normal, operational day.
Regards

Re: B-24 from 856 BS/492 BG
 

Peter,

The striped B-24 may be the squadron's "assembly" ship. They had conspicious colors making it for other a/c of the squadron easier to team up and make their formations.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: B-24 from 856 BS/492 BG
 

A typical Assembly Ship. 'Ball of Fire' of 93rd Bomb Group. Its colours were bright red, white and light blue. The colours changed regularly over the months.

Re: B-24 from 856 BS/492 BG
 

There is a wonderful formal parade going on in the foreground, with a colour party at the centre. Is it for a unit presentation or medal parade??

Re: B-24 from 856 BS/492 BG
 

If it is black and white strip, it belongs to 8th AF, 2nd Air Div, 492nd BG. The ship is call "Zebra"