ARKANSAS TRAVELER (V2) (PIC 1)

NAME

SER

BLK

SERIAL #

RCL/#

V#-P

PHOTO CREDITS

ARKANSAS TRAVELER

41-23781

343

02-1

N/A

Starboard (Right) Side - Port has DOPEY - 2nd ARKANSAS TRAVELER - "BERLIN"

Contributor - Pete Johnston

Info Contributor - Bill Whitney
First saw service with the 98th BG 345th BS as a radar equipped sea search airplane (the identification letter "Y" shown on it's nose after ARKANSAS TRAVELER had been added indicates prior 345th BS ownership). Newly designated Crew Chief Amos Nicholson (over in the 98th BG 343rd BS) was given this airplane to care for about Feb 1943 and the radar equipment was removed and bomb-racks added to convert the ship back to a bomber role. The operational career of ARKANSAS TRAVELER lasted only until 11 Apr 43 when it was consigned to the Service Group for repairs. In mid-June this airplane was destroyed in the service group area by (1) enemy agents, (2) enemy paratroops, or (3) by American G.I.s who washed the plane in gasoline and then accidentally set it on fire, depending of which source you want to believe.

Info Contributor - Charles Brummel (Nephew of Artist - Amos Nicholson)
My uncle has always been proud of the paintings he did on these planes, and wishes he had signed them.