Fifty Six Years Later

[The rest of the story]

One day while reading the web board on the Internet B-24 Veteran's Group website I ran across a posting by JO COTTINGHAM Jo lives in Norwich County England. She was researching a B-24 named Turnip Termite, which had crashed April 21st, 1944 on property owned by her employer near TAVERHAM MILL. All she knew was the name, Turnip Termite; the plane was transferred from the 486th BG on April 17th, 1944; and that it was flown out of SHIPDAM, NORFOLK, ENGLAND [44th BG]

The nose art I had started painting on the B-24, which we had flown via the southern route to England, was actually a takeoff of the turnip termite character in the LIL ABNER comic strip by Al CAPP. The Turnip Termite was the character PAPPY YOCUM metamorphosed into after consuming too many turnips during the DOGPATCH turnip harvest season.

We arrived in England April 7, 1944. Because of the name, Turnip Termite, and the dates Jo furnished, I began to wonder if it might be the same plane we ferried over to England. A flurry of messages then ensued between Jo and myself. Jo then enlisted the aid of several people, among them, Will Lundy, 44th BGVA USA and Stephen Adams, 44th BGVA UK. Jo also visited the 486th BGA site to view the pictures of the nose art on my sweatshirt. All parties agreed that the correct plane had been found and it was indeed the plane we had flown to England bearing my nose art on it. Stephen Adams sent me an email with a picture of the plane attached.

AFTER 56 YEARS I SAW MY ART WORK AGAIN!!

JO COTTINGHAM has expressed a very strong desire to erect a monument on the crash site to the memory of the eight airmen who died in the crash. I plan to be of assistance to Jo wherever I can and would appreciate any suggestions from anyone who may be able to help Jo in this worthwhile endeavor. May God bless you, Jo!!

- Clayton Hutsell 486th BG 835th SQ 8thAAF

- Photo via Steve Adams--44th BGVA-UK

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