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The following is part of the investigation into in in-flight accident involving the Roper crew during their phase training at Davis-Monthan AAB, Tucson, AZ. The document is provided and transcdribed by Lei K. Zimmerman.
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FEBRUARY 18, 1944 ACCIDENT REPORT
Accident: No. 44-2-18-12 Checked by: E.S. 2-29 Copied for Wright Field By:
DC Accident No.: 44-2-18-12 Pilot’s Name: Roper Nature Group: Fire Specific Nature: In the air Underlying Nature: Caught Fire Cause Group: Power Plant Specific Cause: Undetermined
Underlying Cause: Undetermined RESTRICTED WAR DEPARTMENT U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES REPORT OF AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT
1.
Place: Runway 12L Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona
2.
Date: 18 Feb. 1944
3.
Time: 13:36 MST AIRCRAFT:
4.
Type and Model: B-24 H
5.
A. F. No.: 42-52659
6.
Station: Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona. ORGANIZATION:
7.
Bombardment
8.
486th Bombardment Group (H)
9.
8333rd Bombardment Squadron (H) PERSONNEL NAME:
RATING: RANK: INJURIES: USE OF PARACHUTE: Roper, David B. P
Capt. None None Lagemann, Albert T. CP 1st
Lt. None None Swatek, Nicholas L. N 2nd
Lt. None None Braun, John A. B
2nd Lt. None None Pasquariello, James V. E S/Sgt.
None None Bryan, Orton R
S/Sgt. None None Carson, Max L. G
S/Sgt. None None Newhouse, Durwood R. G S/Sgt.
None None Schneider, Paul L. G
S/Sgt. None None Vallejo, Peter
G Sgt. None
None PILOT: NAME: Roper, David B. ASN: 0-424297
RANK: Capt. BRANCH: Air Fcs ASSIGNED: 16th BOTW – 2 AF GROUP: 486TH Bomb (H) SQUADRON:
833rd Bomb (H) STATION: Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona ORIGINAL RATING: Pilot DATE: 8/15/41 PRESENT RATING: Pilot DATE: 8/15/41 INSTRUMENT RATING: 10/31/43 CO-PILOT: NAME: Lagemann, Albert T. ASN: 0-1100631
RANK: 1ST. Lt. BRANCH: Air Fcs ASSIGNED: 16th BOTW, 2 AF GROUP: 486th Bomb (H) SQUADRON: 833rd
Bomb (H) STATION: Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona ORIGINAL RATING: Pilot DATE: 10/1/43 PRESENT RATING: Pilot DATE: 10/1/43 INSTRUMENT RATING: None PILOT’S MISSION: Instrument Calibration and Air to Ground Gunnery NATURE OF ACCIDENT: Fire in Mid-air
CAUSE OF ACCIDENT: Material failure, exact part unknown DAMAGE: AIRCRAFT: 5 ENGINES: 5 PROPELLORS: 5 LIST OF DAMAGED PARTS (Complete Wreck) Weather at the time od accident: Sky Condition – Clear Visibility – Unrestricted Surface Wind – W at 3 MPH Cleared from: Davis-Monthan Field To:
Same Kind of Clearance: CFR Pilot’s Mission: Instrument Calibration and Air to Ground Gunnery. Nature of Accident: Fire in Mid-air
Cause of accident: Material failure, exact part unknown. DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT NARRATIVE OF ACCIDENT: Plane No. 42-52659 Took off on Instrument Calibration and Air to Ground Gunnery mission. First evidence of trouble
was a drop in fuel pressure on #2 engine. Pilot decided to return to the field. While making an approach to runway 12L No. 2 prop overspeeded and it was feathered and the engine caught on fire. The pilot attempted to extinguish the fire by diving
for approximately 1000’ without success, where upon the plane’s CO2 system used with no results. Plane made a normal landing and rolled off the side of the runway, where the crew abandoned the ship. Efforts of the Fire Department were unavailing
and the aircraft was almost entirely consumed by fire. There was no injury to crew. STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY: Cause undetermined but believed to be material failure, possibly failure of gas line. RECOMMENDATIONS: None DATE: 21 February 1944
Signature: C.K. Rich
Invest Officer
C.K. RICH, Col., A.C.
FRANK R. PANCAKE, Lt. Col., AC
DAVID R. BAKER, Capt., AC 833RD BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H) OFFICE OF THE OPERATIONS OFFICER DAVIS-MONTHAN FIELD
Tucson, Arizona
19 February 1944 STATEMENT I was the pilot on airplane #42-52659. After checking the airplane and check list, the engine were started at
approximately , 1300 MST. After the engines were started and the check list completed. I started taxiing out to take off position. The Co-pilotand I checked the engines and instruments. Everything was normal. With the check
list completed and clearance from the tower for take-off. I proceeded on a normal take-off with half flaps (?) and 2700 RPM. The take-off was normal with the exception of the ship seeming a little sluggish getting off the ground and gaining air speed.
After reaching, approximately 3000’indicated, the Co-pilot notifying me of a drop in fuel pressure on #2 engine. I noticed it read about 8 pounds pressure. The booster pump was still on. I cut the booster pump back and there was a drop of approximately
2 pounds. I turned the booster pump back to on position and by this time I had the ship 4000; indicated altitude and was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. I was planning to feather #2 engine and return to the field, when #2 prop started
to run away. The Co-pilot re-started the prop governor #2 engine to take care of that. I ran #2 engine prop governor back up and it started to runaway again. I immediately feathered #2 prop after cutting the engine. Upon Feathering #2 prop, I looked
out to see if the prop was feathered, and at that time I noticed fire coming out of the cowling all around the engine. I gave the Co-pilot instructions to use the engine fire extinguishers, and they seemingly had no effect on the fire. I dived the
airplane approximately 1000’ to 200 MPH in an attempt to blow the fire out. The Co-pilot called the tower and told we were coming in with #2 engine on fire. I let the wheels and flaps down and made a normal approach to the field with a normal
landing.. I immediately started slowing the plane down and pulled off to the side of the runway, so as not to obstruct it. After the ship stopped rolling, I gave the crew instructions to get out and away from the airplane
and the Co-pilot and I cut #’s 1, 3, and 4 engines and then got out. The firemen and trucks were there shortly after the plane stopped. There was only slight injury to personnel. David B. Roper DAVID B. ROPER Captain, Air Corps,
Airplane Commander STATEMENT Ship #659 was fully serviced with gas, and oil as usual, carried 20-100 practice and 100 50 caliber ammunition for
each gun. Form #1 showed no engine defects. Taxi out, run up, and take off were as usual. Take off was at 1329. After we were airborne, perhaps 100 or 200 feet above the ground, we (pilot and Co-pilot) noticed #2 engines fuel
pressure slowly dropped to about 6 or 8 pounds pressure and stay there. We thought was fuses and looked at co-pilots fuse box, fuses were found to be intact. Pilot switched booster off and on once or twice to check if that
might bring pressure up, bur didn’t. By this time we had climbed to 1500 feet above the ground (approximately) and I believe
the pilot had decided to stay in the pattern and land. We were about starting on the downwind leg. When we were opposite the tower on the downwind leg (East field, runway 12L), the number 2 propeller seemed to start to runaway.
I heard it “wind up,” and pulled the toggle switch at 3000 RPM, reducing RPM to 1500 on the #2 engine. It started again and either the pilot, or I pulled it back again with the toggle. AT this point pilot feathered #2 engine. At this time the pilot
noticed the fire, (I believe it started about then) and I also became aware of it. After feathering, and before I was aware of the fire, I called the tower and told then we were coming in for a landing
with #2 engine feathered. When the pilot saw the fire, he first tried to slip the plane, but that didn’t help. He also called me, reminding
me to put on the engine fire extinguisher. I switched to #2 engine and pulled the handle. I called the tower and told them we were coming in with #2 engine burning. The pilot had put the wheels down about then, and tower replied to come in, wheels
down and locked. Pilot made a short approach and put down full flaps, made a good landing, put on brakes right away and guided plane
to the right of runway onto dust control strip. As we rolled to a stop, pilot moved mixture controls on 1, 3 and 4 to automatic cut off, 2 was there already. I cut ignition switches, and then we left the ship. As soon as we stopped the #2 nacelle was enveloped in flame. The fire engine arrived about this time. Albert T. Lagemann 1st. Lieutenant, Air
Corps,
Co-Pilot. STATEMENT Upon entering the ship, I went up to the nose section and filled out my log, preparatory to taking off, upon hearing
the alarm for stations, I went up to the flight deck. After taking off and immediately upon retraction of the wheels, I went back to the nose section and started back to work on my
log. The bombardier informed me that we were landing. The engines revved up and the crew seemed excited over something, so I crawled back through the companionway with my parachute buckled on. I encountered a slight haze in the bomb bay; after about
thirty seconds we landed and I opened the bomb bay doors and was the second one off through the bomb bay. Take off was at 2029 GCT (1329). Nicholas L. Swatek NICHOLAS L. SWATEK, 0-759830 2nd, Lieutenant, Air
Corps,
Navigator. STATEMENT After the take off Sergeant Newhouse gave me signal that the nose wheel was up, so I went to the nose followed by
Lieutenant Swatek. After putting on my summer Helmet and setting the interphones to “inter position,” I heard the engines make a razzing sound. Right after this, I heard someone say something over the interphone, but it was so faint I could not understand
it. Staff Sergeant Newhouse crawled up in the nose and told me to clear the nose, we’re going to land. After crawling through the nose tunnel, I put on my chute which was sitting in the passage. I heard someone holler, fire in the engine. My chute
caught on the edge of the flight deck door and started to open. I held it closed until I was sure we were going to land, then I took it off. I was the second one out of the right bomb bay, and I ran clear of the ship. After I stopped and turned around,
I saw Sergeant Pasquariello with a fire extinguisher going to the right side of the ship. John A. Braun JOHN A. BRAUN, 0-692471 2nd Lieutenant,
Air Corps,
Bombardier STATEMENT Pre-flight of the ship checked satisfactory, and runup of engines, fuel pressure and generators were good. The Center
of Gravity of the plane was 70. The take off was normal. The first thing what was noticed was a drop in fuel pressure. I checked the booster pump fuse and it was OK, next thing was the fumes, in the ship. I checked the lines at cross feed and booster
pumps were checked for leaks, and next was the burning small and smoke in the bomb bays, then I saw the reflections of fire at the bottom of the bomb bay, so I grabbed the fire extinguisher and went into the bomb bay, but did not see any fire and
went back to the waist section, and the ball gunner said the engine was burning up. In the mean time the boys at the waist called the pilot and told him about it. The Co-pilot pulled
the engine fire extinguisher but I didn’t think it was operating right, because when the ball gunner and I went out with our fire extinguishers, there was no signs of foam or liquid around the engine. When we landed, I was at the rear bomb bay with the fire extinguisher. The Navigator opened the bomb bay doors as
soon as we landed, then I saw the reflection of the fire on the ground, as soon as we stopped rolling. I got out and #2 engine was really burning, but for some reason or other the fire extinguisher did not have enough force or liquid spray to do
any good. About a minute after we were out there fighting the fire the oil cooler fell to the ground then the firemen came. James V. Pasquariello JAMES V. PASQUARIELLO, 12162760 Staff Sergeant, Air Corps,
Engineer. STATEMENT I was radio operator on ship #659. Engines were started about 1315. I was on the flight deck at the radio table. We
took off at 1330, everything seemed alright. About 5 minutes after take off I smelled smoke. None of my radio equipment had been turned on except the Liaison Receiver. After I found the location of the fire (engine #2), I put my chute on. I then
saw that we were preparing to land, so I took it off. We made a very nice landing, and I cleared the ship through the bomb bay. Orton Bryan ORTON BRYAN, 14188311 Staff Sergeant, Air
Corps,
Radio Operator. STATEMENT I am the tail gunner, and I was just below the flight deck for take off. After we were
airborne I went back to the waist and started putting on my heavy equipment. I saw the reflection of the fire through the waist window. I called to the ball gunner and the nose gunner who were with me in the waist. The
ball gunner was trying to contact the pilot, when the engine was feathered. We stood by to jump until we saw the pilot was going to land. Immediately upon landing we abandoned the
plane and the fire department was fighting the fire. We went to the hospital for inspection, then we reported to Operations. Max L. Carson MAX L. CARSON, 6297646 Staff Sergeant, Air
Corps,
Tail Gunner. STATEMENT I am the upper turret gunner on ship #659. We started taxiing about 1313 and took off at 1330. I was standing on floor
by the auxiliary power unit under the upper turret. On take off I smelled gasoline fumes, went into bomb bay and turned on all lights, then I checked all booster pumps,, valves, hoses and connections for leaks and found
none. The engineer and armorer gunner also checked at the same time. Engineer, then went up between pilot and co-pilot and I asked him whether, or not we were going to land about that time I smelled smoke and looked in the bomb bay, which I thought
was a reflection of flame. I reached for fire extinguisher behind pilot but the engineer already had it in his hands. I grabbed the extinguisher from him and went into the bomb bay, but found no flame. I came
back towards the flight deck and heard the pilot yell, “Clear the nose.” I crawled through the passageway and hit the bombardier in the back to attract his attention and told him to clear the nose. I heard
him tell the navigator and I started back to the flight deck. I crawled on the flight deck and put on my chute, then the landing gear came down and I looked out the left flight deck window and saw #2 engine in flames and the prop feathered. The flames
had burned through the cowling just ahead of the superchargers and were burning downward, as if under pressure. We banked then, and I saw we were coming in for a landing, so I took my chute off again. We made a good landing, veered off to the right
of the runway and I told the navigator to open the bomb bay doors. When we stopped was the third man out of the front bomb bay following the bombardier and navigator. I was warned about the ship blowing up, so I ran away from it. Durwood R. Newhouse DURWOOD R. NEWHOUSE, 16085832 Staff Sergeant, Air Corps,
Upper Turret Gunner. STATEMENT I am the nose gunner, and was in the waist of the ship at the time of the fire. Fire started shortly after
take off. The tail gunner told me that #2 engine was on fire. I immediately put my parachute on, then looked out of the left waist window to see if the engine was still burning, and upon inspection I found that it was
burning very rapidly. The engine was feathered. That is about all that I saw. It wasn’t very long until we were coming in for a landing. We made a very good landing and when the plane stopped and I abandoned ship through the camera hatch, then the
plane started burning very fast. Paul L. Schneider PAUL L. SCHNEIDER, 35692939 S/Sgt., Air Corps,
Nose Gunner. STATEMENT I am the ball turret gunner and was at the right waist gun position at the time of take off.
The tail gunner notified me of fire in #2 engine. I immediately called, “Fire in #2 engine,” over the interphone and repeated the call three or four times. I watched the fire during the pilot’s attempt to extinguish it and had my parachute on and
ready to abandon ship. When it was evident that we were going to land. I assumed the ditching position. Upon stopping, I grabbed the fire extinguisher by the ball turret and went out the bomb bay. The engineer and I each with a fire extinguisher,
tried to bring the fire under control until the fire trucks arrived. Peter Vallejo PETER VALLEJO, 32365602 Sergeant, Air Corps,
Ball Turret Gunner. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CIVIL AERONAUTICS ADMINISTRATION Davis-Monthan
Tower Tucson,
Arizona February
18, 1944. STATEMENT REGARDING ARMY #42-52659, FEBRUARY 18, 1944 Army 52659 called Main Tower for an emergency landing on downwind leg east of East Field with a feathered engine at
approximately 1433 MWR. Approximately half a minute later aircraft called that #2 engine was on fire. Main Tower then cleared aircraft to land runway 12, but aircraft made a short base leg, normal approach and landed on East Field runway #12L. After
landing aircraft taxied off runway and the crew immediately abandoned aircraft. When aircraft came to a stop off of runway the Fire Equipment immediately started operations upon fire. The East Tower Controller called East Field Fire Equipment while ship was on base leg. All stations answered alarm
immediately. Donald C. Monson DONALD C. MONSON
Controller, East Tower BASE WEATHER STATION DAVIS-MONTHAN FIELD Tucson, Arizona 19 February 1944 SUBJECT: Weather at Davis-Monthan Field on 15 February 1944. TO: Base Operations Officer, Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona.
1.
This is to certify that the weather conditions at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona, at 1336 MST on 18 February 1944, were as follows:
a.
Sky condition – clear.
b.
Visibility – unrestricted.
c.
Surface wind – W at 3 mi/hr.
2.
This information is submitted relative to the accident involving B-24H type airplane, serial number 42-52659, on runway 12-L, Davis-Monthan Field. Theodore C. Lewis THEODORE C. LEWIS 2nd Lt., Air Corps, Station Weather Officer. 833RD BOMBARDMENT SQUAD (H) OFFICER OF THE OPERATIONS OFFICER DAVIS-MONTHAN FIELD Tucson,
Arizona 19 February
19944 CERTIFICATE I hereby certify that AAF Form 1 and 1A for airplane number 42-52659, type B-24H, were destroyed on 18 February, 1944
by the fire which resulted in complete wreck of said airplane. Edward ----------------------- Capt., Air Corps.,
Operations Officer. HEADQUARTERS 39TH COMBAT CREW TRAINING SCHOOL OFFICE OF THE OPERATIONS OFFICER DAVIS-MONTHAN FIELD Tucson,
Arizona 18 February
1944 CERTIFICATE I certify that Photograph #1 was taken to show how fuselage was completely destroyed by fire.
Also how intense heat had apparently been so intense as to bend the horizontal stabilizer. I certify that Photograph #2 shows how #3 and #4 engines fell into ground after wing was burned away from fuselage.
Part of the wing and #4 engine are about the only recognizable parts left on ship as this photo was made to show. George W. Guenther GEORGE W. GUENTHER 2nd Lt., Air Corps,
Acting Airdrome Officer 306TH SUB-DEPOT DAVIS-MONTHAN FIELD TUCSON, ARIZONA 19 FEBRUARY 1944 CERTIFICATE I certify that I inspected B-24H Airplane, Serial No. 42-52659, which burned at 1336 (MST), 18 February 1944. Airplane
made an emergency landing (with No. 2 engine on fire) on East Runway 12-L, Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona. All accessories, equipment and engines, except No. 4 engine were a total loss. No. 4 engine is 85% salvageable. Subject airplane was assigned to 486th Bombardment Group (Heavy).
833rd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona. Acceptance date: 6 January 1944 Airplane time: 28:20 (approx..) Eugene W. Harper EUGENE W. HARPER Chief Aircraft Inspector
3rd Echelon Maintenance 1ST INDORSEMENT OFFICER OF 3RD ECHELON MAINTENANCE OFFICER, AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SHOPS DAVIS-MONTHAN FIELD, TUCSON, ARIZONA, 19 FEBRUARY 1944. TO: OPERATIONS OFFICER, DAVIS-MONTHAN FIELD, TUCSON, ARIZONA.
1.
Noted.
2.
Forwarded Garret J. Jones, 1st Lt., A.C. For GEORGE W. SHIPLEY Major, Air Corps,
3rd Echelon Maint. Officer 306TH SUB-DEPOT DAVIS-MONTHAN FIELD TUCSON, ARIZONA
19 February 1944 CERTIFICATE I certify that B24-H Airplane, Serial No. 42-52659, burned at 1336 (MST), 18th February 1944, after making
an emergency landing on runway 12-L, Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona. Inspection revealed it to be damaged beyond economical repair. It is recommended that subject airplane be surveyed. Garret J. Jones, 1st., Lt., A.C. For GEORGE W. SHIPLEY Major, Air Corps,
3rd Echelon Maint. Officer HEADQUARTERS 39TH COMBAT CREW TRAINING SCHOOL OFFICE OF THE AIR INSPECTOR (TECHNICAL SECTION) DAVIS-MONTHAN FIELD Tucson,
Arizona 21 February
1944 SUBJECT: Report of Destroyed Consolidated B-24H Airplane #42-52659 of the 833rd Bombardment Group (H), Davis-Monthan
Field, Tucson, Arizona TO: Station Commandant, Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona, thru Station Operations Officer.
1.
Investigation revealed that the Pilot made a normal take-off. According to his statements, fuel pressure on #2 engine dropped considerably shortly after take-off
whereupon he proceeded to turn around and return to the field. While Making an approach to runway 12L, #2 propeller over speeded and it was feathered and the engine caught on fire. An attempt was made to extinguish the fire by diving the plane, but
this method failed so then the planes’ C02 system was used with no results. After landing normally, the pilot pulled the airplane off to the side of the runway, cut all ignition switches, and all the crew got out. Attempts were made on the ground
to fight the fire, but it was so intense that nearly all of the plane was consumed by fire. Inspection of the charred wreckage revealed that one CO2 bottle was still unused.
2.
The landing was made at 13:36 M.S.T, on 18 February 1944.
3.
Probable cause of the fire was due to loose clamp on a fuel line. For the Air Inspector. C.C. Townsend C.C. TOWNSEND 1st Lt., Air Corps, Technical Air Inspector. RESTRICTED WORKSHEET FOR FORM 1A AND ALLIED PAPERS
A. PERSONNEL: I. Pilot History:
1.
Name: Roper, David B.
2.
Rank: Captain
3.
Organization: 833rd Bomb Squadron (H), 486th Bomb Group (H)
4.
Duty: Pilot
5.
Mission: Instrument Calibration and Air to Ground Gunnery
6.
Hours Total: 1351.40
7.
This Type: 318.75
8.
This Model: 196:30
9.
PILOT: 196:30 CO-PILOT: 122:45 II. NAME: RANK:
DUTY: INJURY: Roper, David B.
Captain Pilot None
Lagemann, Albert T. 1st Lt. Co-Pilot
None Swatek, Nicholas L. 2nd Lt.
Navigator None Braun, John A. 2nd Lt.
Bombardier None Pasquariello, James V. S/Sgt. Engineer
None Bryan, Orton
S/Sgt. Radio Operator None Carson, Max L.
S/Sgt. Gunner None Newhouse, Durwood L. S/Sgt.
Gunner None Schneider, Paul L.
S/Sgt. Gunner None Vallejo, Peter
Sgt. Gunner None III. If Home Station, check the following:
1.
Maintenance Form: Destroyed by Fire.
2.
Pilots remarks on Form: Destroyed by Fire.
3.
----------------- condition of airplane: #2 Engine caught Fire. IV. Duration of Flight: 00:07 V. Type of Clearance: CFR 3. I. --------------------------------------------- II. Weather at the time and place of accident: Sky condition – Clear. Visibility – Unrestricted. Surface Wind – W at 3 mi/hr. III. Terrain: (not pertinent)
I.
The Airplane:
1.
Check position switches: All Destroyed by Fire.
II.
Check instrument readings: Same.
III.
Controls: Same
IV.
Check:
1.
Amount of fuel in tanks: Serviced with 2600 Gallons.
2.
Safety belts: Destroyed by Fire.
3.
Amount of oil in tanks: 512 Qts. Of oil or 128 Qts. To each engine.
4.
AAF Form No. 1 for any entries: Destroyed by Fire.
5.
Parachutes any evidence of attempted use: No.
6.
Flares: Les-Six (6) Destroyed by Fire.
V.
Check all control surfaces for freedom of movement and for presence of foreign objects, which might have caused sticking or locking: Destroyed by Fire.
VI.
Check loading of the airplane amount and distribution: Normal crew of ten (10) men aboard. 20-100# Practice Bombs and 100 Rounds of 50 Caliber Ammunition
for each gun.
VII.
Check to see if there is any evidence of structural failure: Unknown (Destroyed by Fire).
VIII.
---------------------------- evidence of Fire. How did it start? Yes. #2 Engine
Caught Fire while in flight.
IX.
Check ---------------------- Form No. 1 for entries which might have indicated an unusual condition of the airplane or equipment: Destroyed by Fire.
X.
Was the radio information chart in the airplane: Yes. (Destroyed by Fire).
XI.
Was the “Check List” in the airplane: Yes. (Destroyed by Fire).
XII.
-----------------------------in attempt to determine amount of power at time of accident: 130 MPH Upon Landing. CHECK MADE BY Name: George W. Guenther GEORGE W. GUENTHER Rank: 2nd Lt., Air Corps, Title: Acting Airdrome Officer. |