ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 74280
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| Date: | Saturday 12 August 1944 |
| Time: | 18:20 |
| Type: |  Consolidated BQ-8 Liberator |
| Owner/operator: | SAU-1 US Navy |
| Registration: | BuNo.32271 |
| MSN: | 42-110007 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | 8 miles southeast of Halesworth -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Fersfield /AAF Stn.140 (UK) |
The PB4Y-1 ( B-24 ) patrol bomber had been converted to a remotely controlled flying bomb ( BQ-8 ) in the secret project known as Operation Anvil.
The BQ-8 was intended to be taken off by a 2-pilot crew who would abandon the aircraft by parachute over friendly territory and when established in flight towards the target. Thereafter the bomber, which was loaded with 24,240 pounds of Torpex high explosive , would be guided by radio signals to the target.
The Liberator took off from Fersfield at 1805 hours, to attack the German V-3 cannon site at Mimoyeques in France.
Two PV-1 Venturas accompanied the BQ-8 to provide guidance by radio and a Mosquito was sent to film the operation and the final dive onto the target.
At 1820 hours and at an altitude of about 2,000 feet, about 8 miles from Halesworth , the explosive load detonated prematurely killing both crew members of the BQ-8 and causing considerable damage on the ground. The Mosquito was damaged by the blast but was able to land safely.
Lt Joseph Patrick Kennedy Jr, USNR, and Lt Wilford J.Willy, USNR, R.I.P.
Sources:
https://www.blythweb.co.uk/blythburgh/kennedy1.htm
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/USN/PB4Y.htm
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 11-May-2010 23:36 | angels one five | Added |
| 12-May-2010 00:00 | angels one five | Updated [Narrative] |
| 12-May-2010 00:22 | angels one five | Updated [Source] |
| 19-May-2010 01:47 | angels one five | Updated [Narrative] |
| 10-Sep-2013 09:40 | angels one five | Updated [Time, Registration, Cn, Operator, Location, Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 24-Sep-2019 20:30 | angels one five | Updated [Narrative] |
| 23-Apr-2020 15:59 | Reno Raines | Updated [Operator, Departure airport, Operator] |
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