After over 50 years on the seabed, the cockpit of a USAAF Liberator was still remarkably complete and salvaged in 1995. Built in December 1942 at San Diego, this USAAF Liberator was attacked over Romania on 1 August 1943. Badly damaged, the crew headed for their base at Benghazi in Libya but one by one the engines failed and the aircraft ditched in the sea off Antalya (Turkey).

Photo from an album marked 5th Air Force New Guinea 1943-44, It shows the aircraft over Alexishafen during a raid. The town was recaptured from the Japanese in April 1944. This is an aircraft that escaped Joe Baugher's listing so its final fate is not known. Photo from: Ken Oram / Michael Oram

Built in December 1942 at San Diego, this USAAF Liberator was attacked by a Luftwaffe fighter during a 98th BG 'Pyramiders' raid over the Astro Romano oil refinery in Romania on 1st Aug 1943. Badly damaged, the crew headed for their base at Benghazi but one by one the engines failed and even their attempt to reach Cyprus was not attainable. The B-24 was ditched in the sea off Antalya, and although three crew members including the pilot Lt Hadley were lost, seven were able to swim ashore. Salvaged in 1995

Delivered as a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Converted to a transport by the RCAF. Withdrawn from use in August 1945. Photo from: Library and Archives Canada

Personal aircraft of Lt-General Millard Harmon. He died when C-87 41-24174 vanished without trace between Kwajalein and Hawaii. 41-24106 was built as a bomber and saw service with the 307th Bomb Group as "Stinky Pinky" before being converted to its VIP role. It was not a C-87. Photo from: RNZAF/Air Force Museum of New Zealand

This USAAF Liberator took part in the bombing raid on the petroleum refineries in Ploesti, Romania, on 1/8/43. Damaged by a Luftwaffe fighter, it ditched near Antalya off the southern coast of Turkey on its return flight to Cyprus. The airframe was salvaged in 1995 and partially restored for display in the museum as a permanent memorial to the raid. The pilot (Lt Gilbert Hadley), co-pilot (Lt James Lindsey), and bombardier ((Leon Storms) were killed in the crash, the remaining seven crew were able to swim ashore and survived.

Returning from a raid on the Ploiesti oil fields. 42-40664 was shot down over Foggia, Italy, on August 16, 1943. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

41-11830 returns from a Ploiesti raid. This aircraft survived the war and was scrapped in 1946. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Declared war weary, 42-40127 became an assembly ship for the 428th Bomb Group. It was destroyed on the ground when a flare was accidentally fired inside the aircraft at Horsham-St Faith, now Norwich International Airport. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

5 Aug '43: TOS USAAF. 22 Aug: Departed Tucson, AZ, Modification Center and began flight to Egypt, arriving at Deversoir Field, Egypt on 7 September. After combat modifications it was delivered to the 512th Bomb Squadron/376th Bomb Group, Benghazi, Libya. 24 Sep: Squadron moved to Enfidaville, Tunisia. 17 Nov: Squadron moved to San Pancrazio, Italy. Flew a total of 56 missions, the last on being on 23 Feb '44. April/44: Due to obsolescence, the plane returned to the USA. September/44: Began storage tour, several bases. 12 May '59: Flown to the Air Force Museum at Patterson Field, Fairborn, OH.

5 Aug '43: TOS USAAF. 22 Aug: Departed Tucson, AZ, Modification Center and began flight to Egypt, arriving at Deversoir Field, Egypt on 7 September. After combat modifications it was delivered to the 512th Bomb Squadron/376th Bomb Group, Benghazi, Libya. 24 Sep: Squadron moved to Enfidaville, Tunisia. 17 Nov: Squadron moved to San Pancrazio, Italy. Flew a total of 56 missions, the last on being on 23 Feb '44. April/44: Due to obsolescence, the plane returned to the USA. September/44: Began storage tour, several bases. 12 May '59: Flown to the Air Force Museum at Patterson Field, Fairborn, OH.

5 Aug '43: TOS USAAF. 22 Aug: Departed Tucson, AZ, Modification Center and began flight to Egypt, arriving at Deversoir Field, Egypt on 7 September. After combat modifications it was delivered to the 512th Bomb Squadron/376th Bomb Group, Benghazi, Libya. 24 Sep: Squadron moved to Enfidaville, Tunisia. 17 Nov: Squadron moved to San Pancrazio, Italy. Flew a total of 56 missions, the last on being on 23 Feb '44. 4/44: Due to obsolescence, the plane returned to the USA. 9/44: Began storage tour, several bases. 12 May '59: Flown to the Air Force Museum at Patterson Field, Fairborn, OH.

Slide taken in the outdoor aircraft display area at the site of the original USAF Museum. This a/c is now fully restored and on display in the current museum.

On display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Built in San Diego, the Liberator was ferried to the 9th Air Force, where it was assigned to the 512th Bomb Squadron of the 376th BG. "Strawberry Bitch" flew over 50 missions, including the raid on the Ploesti oil refinery in August 1943.

'Strawberry Bitch' on display in the WWII Gallery at the National Museum of the USAF.