"TOURING MACHINE"
B-24 Liberator GR Mk.V, BZ751
RAF No. 311 Czechoslovak Bomber Squadron, the Coastal Command

size of original 35,4´ x 13,8´ (90x35 cm), oil on canvas, signed by the author
original painting in personal collection

This Liberator "PP-Z" (BZ751) was used by RAF No.311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron from April 1944 to March 1945. It flew a total of 59 anti-submarine patrols, thus becoming the third most flown example among Czechoslovak Liberators. It was literally a "touring machine" as it was flown by 27 different skippers within 11 months of its service (the numbers in the bracket indicate operational sorties) - Vella J. (5), Naxera F. (1), Lazar J. (3), Jílek V. (1), Šedivý A. (2), Tobyška B. (4), Huňáček S. (2), Kuhn J. (1), Pospíchal K. (2), Kostohryz J. (3), Protiva R. (4), Doležal O. (1), Linhart L. (4), Kopal K. (1), Hájek J. (4), Hrnčíř K. (1), Hala J. (1), Žežulka V. (3), Bureš O. (1), Pavelka J. (2), Matějka J. (2), Kvapil K. (1), Tichý J. (2), Šigut M. (1), Slánský V. (3), Jedounek A. (2) and Polívka J. (2).

Om return from a mission of November 20, 1944, during which was flown by F/Lt V. Slánský´s crew, its nose was damaged after the nose wheel failed to deploy. The aircraft suffered 25% damage and was sent to repair. In January 1945 it was sent back to the unit. In February 1946 this Liberator was phased out and scrapped.


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