Cruisin' Susan was a Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber airplane that flew in the South Pacific for the United States during World War II. It was originally called "Tenn" Squirrel Hunter but was later renamed Cruisin' Susan. It was manufactured by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. The aircraft was assigned to the 531st Bombardment Squadron of the 380th Bombardment Group, known as "The Flying Circus"—itself a part of the Fifth Air Force. Australia / New Guinea missions The aircraft was first stationed in Australia between late 1943 and early 1945 and flew 55 missions there including bombing and reconnaissance missions at Ceram Island, Nabire, Pomelaa, Alexishafen, Saidor, Kendari, Sorong, Geelvink Bay (Japen Island), Halmahera, Laha, Timor, Kai Islands, Jefman, Liang, Babo, Ceram Sea, Banda Sea, Amahai, Namlea, Macassar, Koepang, Ambesia, Bima, Pinrang, Polewali, Bora Bora, Boro Boro, Java, Flores Sea, Celebes, and Lombok Straits. Philippines missions In early 1945 the aircraft was stationed in the Philippines, where it completed 15 additional missions at various targets in Formosa, Luzon, Legaspi, and Hong King. Crash landing The Cruisin' Susan was destroyed on April 7, 1945, during a successful crash landing by pilot Roger Forssell at Lingayen after running out of gas during its final mission at Toyohara A/D, Formosa. Nose art The nose art for the "Tenn" Squirrel Hunter / Cruisin' Susan underwent several changes, as shown in photographs of the aircraft from the time period.
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