Basiliere Ground Crew

Robert E. Basiliere	Airplane Flight Chief
Elmer Smith	Airplane Instrument Mechanic, Specialist	Maurice Young, Archie Mettler (All American), R.E. Fox, Jr. and Elmer Smith waiting for mission return.
Maurice Young	Airplane and Engine Mechanic
R. E. Fox, Jr.	Airplane and Engine Mechanic
Peter Cento	Airplane Electrical Mechanic, Specialist	Courtesy of  Wendy Fox Dial Robert E. Fox Jr.
Walter Brown	Armorer
Peter Tampas	Airplane and Engine Mechanic (later changed to crew of Sleepy Time Gal)

I was part of the ground crew on #20, Rhode Island Red. I will tell you what I can remember about it.

#20 flew very few missions and was one of the first planes flown from the United States by the group.

It flew very few missions due to mechanical problems.  Later ran short of fuel returning from a mission and crashed south of Torretta.  It was repaired and flown back to the field.

Later it crashed while flying to England for supplies for the Group.  I don’t know the details of this crash.  It was replaced by the Judy R.

Judy R. flew 38 missions and was flown on her last mission by Captain Robert T. Chalmers.  This mission story is in the February 1987 issue of the Liberaider.

Judy R. was replaced by Rhode Island Red II.

R. E. Fox, Jr.

Courtesy of Wendy Fox Dial

Maurice Young painting nose art of 41-28737, Rhode Island Red

Rhode Island Red II

Rhode Island Red II undergoing an engine change.