The 384th Bomb Group is synonymous with the B-17 Flying Fortress. However, during their time at Grafton Underwood, it would have been common to see some other types being operated by the Group, primarily in liaison flights with other 8th Air Force airfields, and possibly on some local 'excursions'.

One such aircraft was the Piper L-4B Grasshopper, #43-658 "Humphrie's Flying Weasel".

The L-4 Grasshopper was the military built version of the popular 1930's Taylor E-2 Cub. The nickname 'Grasshopper' seems to have been given after a L-4 was spotted coming to a bouncing halt, like a 'grasshopper'. Despite this new name, the name 'Cub' never truly disappeared from use!

The Grasshopper was introduced to the USAAF in 1942. It's simple yet rugged design, ease of maintenance and the ability to operate from, and land at, remote and rough sites was valuable. Thousands were produced for military use, some of these eventually filtered through to individual Groups, with most units having one on their inventory.

The aircraft operated by the 384th Bomb Group flying out of Grafton Underwood wore distinctive markings. Called "Humphrie's Flying Weasel", there are images of Major John H. Humphries standing by the aircraft - whether the name was directly linked to him is unclear.

An incident involving a Piper L-4 Cub on 30th June 1944 was widely recorded, both by photographs and in written records. An unnamed pilot, in attempting to buzz one of the 546th barrack buildings, inadvertently ended up crashing the aircraft into the side of the structure - the cause of this accident isn't recorded. Whilst no harm came to either the pilot or anyone on the ground, two 546th pilots who had just returned from the days mission to Montdidier narrowly avoided disaster. Lt. Charles Gowder managed to throw himself out of harms way, as did Lt. Wilbur Shearer, who did however suffer a cut to his neck from one of the Cub's wire struts - this resulted in a short hospital stay for Lt. Shearer.

From photographs of the crash, this does not appear to be "Humphrie's Wild Weasel" though, due to the colour of the aircraft wings and fuselage that can be seen.

Engine - Continental O-170-3, 65hp

Wing span - 35ft 3in. (10.74 metres)

Length - 22ft 5in. (6.83 metres)

Empty weight - 730lbs (331 kgs)

Max. Weight - 1,220lbs (553 kgs)

Max. speed - 90mph (145 km/h)

Range - 300 miles (483 km/h)

Crew - 2, pilot and passenger

Research courtesy of Keith Andrews on behalf of 384th Bombardment Group Museum.

With kind thanks to the 384th Bomb Group website www.384thbombgroup.com for permission in using material from their records in the making of this story. It holds a wealth of information, documents and photographs of their activities during World War