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Re: US cargo aircraft shot down January 1944
Brian,
Crew of downed C-54 "274" off Azores by fighters of(f) HMS Striker were all civilian and under contract of Transcontinental & Western Airlines for Air Transport Command.
Names: Charles S. Garber (pilot), George E. Shelton (co-pilot), Orville V. Scholtz (navigator), Royce T. Melliver (flight-engineer), Bedford H. Mann (radio) and Avery B. Merritt (?).
The Individual Aircraft Record Cards for both 42-72346 and 42-72368 say both were assigned to (a) Pacific Transport Squadron. On their deletion line it says "WASHOUTR" with date 32345 (23 March 1945).
I am no expert in these codes, but could it be that they had been exposed to such heavy rains that corrosion had set in?
Regards,
Leendert
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