Another Pacific colour shot brought to you by Aerothentic

  B-32-CO Dominator 'Hobo Queen II'Serial # 42-108532

386th Bombardment Squadron

312th Bombardment Group

 

Fifth Air Force

 

Shortly after the B-32 was trialed for combat, Far Eastern Air Force (FEAF) Headquarters directed the only squadron using them, the 386th, to conduct a series of photo-reconnaissance missions to monitor Japanese compliance with initial cease-fire terms.

The first of these was flown on 16th August 1945 by Hobo Queen II without enemy opposition. The following day four Dominators led by Hobo Queen II returned to Tokyo, but this time were tracked by Japanese radar as they approached the city. Flak batteries tore holes in one, and it would spend the rest of its days being cannibalized for spare parts beside an Okinawa taxiway.

Hobo Queen itself was written off on 10th October 1945 after it suffered a nosewheel collapse at Okinawa on take-off.

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