Zuker's Crew


Crew of the  "Lady Lightnin'"

Standing (L to R): Billy C. Callahan (NG), Robert C. Buckner (BG), Clarence C. Vaughn (WG), Thomas T. Truax (ROG), Carl K. Williams (TG), Ralph V. Young (FE). Front (L to R): Ray F. Zuker (P), Claudie C. Climie (CP), Woodrow W. Rush (N), Maurice E. Joslyn (B). (reprinted from the O&W N/L Winter 92

Lady Lightnin' was involved in runway accident on July 11, 1944 during the start of the 486th's 43rd mission. While the aircraft taxied and waited their turn to take off, the "Lady" was run into by the following B24, #300, flown by LT Abell. Its engines were idling too high and the crew had difficulty controlling her. Carl Williams was in his tail gun position signalling following aircraft in accordance with take off procedures. Realizing the B24 following the Lady would not be able to stop, Williams abandoned his post just before the collision. The crew of the Lady "safed" their aircraft and abandoned it on the taxiway. Only the ball gunner, Buckner, suffered injury, breaking his arm and a concussion.

The crew would fly two more missions in "borrowed" B24s before making the transition to B17s. Buckner would recover from his injuries and would be assigned to another crew. Lady Lightnin' would be repaired using the tail section of the other bomber and then transferred to the 2nd Air Division. On August 1st, 1944 a FLAK burst hit the wing root of the aircraft and was shot down during her third mission with another group.


CREW INFO
Name Rank Position First Mission Last Mission Status
Raymond F. Zuker 2nd LT Pilot 05/07/44 / /44 Completed Tour
Claudie C. "C.C." Climie 2nd LT Copilot 05/07/44 / /44
Willard W. Rush 2nd LT Navigator 05/07/44 / /44
Maurice E. Joslyn 2nd LT Bomardier 05/07/44 / /44
Ralph V. Young T/SGT Engineer 05/07/44 / /44
Thomas W. Truax S/SGT Radio 05/07/44 / /44
Clarence C. Vaughn S/SGT Gunner 05/07/44 / /44
Billy W. Callahan S/SGT Gunner 05/07/44 / /44
R. C. Buckner S/SGT Ball 05/07/44 / /44
Carl K. Williams S/SGT Tail 05/07/44 / /44
Charles W. Wycoff Crew Chief 05/07/44 / /44
 
MISSION INFO
MISSION DATE NAME ID S/N TYPE
003 05/09/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
004 05/11/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
005 05/20/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
008 05/25/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
010 05/28/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
013 05/31/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
015 06/06/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
018 06/07/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
019 06/08/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
023 06/15/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
024 06/16/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
026 06/17/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
027 06/20/44 Pisces xx 41-29517 B24H
028 06/22/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
029 06/24/44 Classy Chassis TP 4x-xx291 B24H
033 06/28/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
034 06/29/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52761 B24H
036 07/01/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
037 07/02/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
039 07/05/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
041 07/08/44 Lady Lightnin' TO 42-52760 B24H
042 07/09/44 Classy Chassis TP 4x-xx291 B24H
044 07/14/44 Pandora's Box TN 42-52714 B24H
051 08/02/44 TN 43-38145 B17G
054 08/05/44 Lady V PK 43-37856 B17G
056 08/07/44 Honeychile PM 43-38029 B17G
061 08/14/44 TS 43-38140 B17G
063 08/16/44 The Prowler TK 43-37937 B17G
065 08/24/44 The Prowler TE 43-37937 B17G
066 08/25/44 TP 43-37992 B17G

Completed 30 Missions


 
Created 04/27/99  Modified 12/04/19

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