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Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2243. On November 29, 1941 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2432 and departed Boeing Field piloted by Lt. Herbert J. Felton. By late November 1941 assigned to the 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (88th RS) at Fort Douglas Airfield. No known nickname or nose art. Wartime History On December 6, 1941 took off from Hamilton Field piloted by 1st Lt. Robert E. Thacker on a ferry flight bound for Hickam Field on Oahu. This bomber had the .50 caliber machine guns installed but carried no ammunition. Aboard was "Crew No. 5" including pilot 1st Lt Robert E. Thacker, 2nd Lt Donald C. Surles, 2nd Lt Roderick M. Stewart, Aviation Cadet Albert J. Hobday, SSgt Cal Russell, Sgt Howard K. Beck, Sgt Cyril LaLancet and PFC Edwin Rhodes. On December 7, 1941 in the morning incoming Japanese aircraft detected on radar were dismissed as the expected flight of B-17s and arrived during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu. While landing at Hickam Field, this B-17 was accidentally fired on by American anti-aircraft gunners and blew a tire while the landing and spun 180° at the end of the runway to reduce speed. The maneuver caused the blown tire to catch fire but it was extinguished by the crew and was undamaged. After landing, Japanese Zeros made two strafing runs. During December 1941 flew search missions from Hickam Field off Hawaii. While operating from Hickam Field painted in the Hawaiian Air Depot (HAD) three color camouflage scheme consisting of dark green, olive drab and tan upper surfaces with standard gray lower surfaces. During February 1942 flown from Hickam Field as part of Southern Bomber Command across the Pacific via Nadi Airfield on Fiji then onward to Australia. On February 17, 1942 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG). While in Australia, the lower Bendix turret was removed with an improvised lower gun mount added. On March 12, 1942 took off from Horn Island Airfield on a bombing mission against Salamaua and the gunners claimed a Zero shot down. Returning, landed at 7 Mile Drome and remained overnight. During April 1942 assigned to the 40th Reconnaissance Squadron (40th RS). On April 22, 1942 redesignated 435th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) "Kangaroo Squadron". On May 11, 1942, sustained tail damage. Afterwards, the damaged tail vertical center section was repaired with the tail from another B-17 that olive drab and returned to service. Later, assigned to the 28th Bombardment Squadron (28th BS). On July 24 1942 took off from Longreach Airfield piloted by Lt. Hughey with co-pilot 1st Lt. Gilbert Erb on a flight to Mareeba Airfield. In early August 1942 one of five B-17s from the squadron flown to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby to stage for a maximum effort bombing mission. On August 7, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome piloted by Lt. Fletcher on a bombing mission against Rabaul. On August 19, 1942 photographed loading bombs at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby. On September 28, 1942 took off from Mareeba Airfield piloted by 1st Lt Gilbert E. Erb on a flight to Archerfield Airfield. During late 1942, regulated to light duty including flying personnel from Australia northward to Port Moresby and vice versa for leave. During November 1942, assigned to 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 64th Bombardment Squadron (64th BS). Nicknamed "The Last Straw" in block letters in blue with a white edge with the nose art of a female nude brunette with curly hair on her knees with her hands behind her head and one leg crossed wearing only panties with the artwork painted over one of the navigator windows on the left side of the nose. During 1943, the exact date is unknown, again sustained tail damage due to unknown circumstances, likely a collision from above and photographed with a damaged tail parked at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby and again repaired. Afterwards, underwent significant repairs and was modified with a pair of twin .50 caliber machine guns from the tail turret of another B-17 were added to the nose for additional forward firepower. On June 17, 1943 the bomber returned to flying status. On July 21, 1943 transfered to the 63rd Bombardment Squadron (63rd BS). During October 1943 transfered to the 54th Troop Carrier Wing (54th TCW), 433rd Troop Carrier Group (433rd TCG), 69th Troop Carrier Squadron (69th TCS) as an armed transport. Fate On January 12, 1945 written off in Brisbane and broken up for scrap. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2432 "2432 (7th BG, 88th RS, "The Last Straw") was one of the planes that arrived over Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941. W/o Brisbane Jan 12, 1945." 7 December 1941 - The Air Force Story - Appendix D - B-17s Arriving During the Attack pages 157-158 (Page 157) "88th Reconnaissance Squadron - B-17E/41-2432 1st Lt Robert E. Thacker" (Page 158) "Crew No. 5: 1st Lt Robert E. Thacker, 2d Lt Donald C. Surles, 2d Lt Roderick M. Stewart, Avn Cdt Albert J. Hobday, SSgt Cal Russell, Sgt Howard K. Beck, Sgt Cyril LaLancet, PFC Edwin Rhodes." Flight Logbook Gilbert E. Erb July 1942 Salt Lake Telegram "Six Utah Service Men Achieve Combat Honors at Battle Fronts" March 13, 1943 page 14 "Gets Jap Base Photos - An aerial photographer Major Dohald M. [sic C.] Surles, was decorated for obtaining photographs in flights over fortified Japanese bases. Flying in planes having no armament and without the advantage of fighter escort, Major Surles obtained photographs over Rabaul and other Jap bases which were directly responsible for recent Allied successes in the Southwest pacific, it was revealed by Lieutenant General George C. Kenney, commander of Allied Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific, in a letter written to Mrs. Surles." Fortress Against The Sun (2001) pages 12-14 (December 7, 1941), 19-20 (December 7, 1941), 226 (August 6-7, 1942), 384 (41-2432), 428 (footnote 62) Ken’s Men Against The Empire The Illustrated History of the 43rd Bombardment Group During World War II Volume I: Prewar to October 1943 The B-17 Era (2016) pages 213 (photo nose art), 248 (photo nose guns), 305 (54th TCW), 325 (63rd BS, 41-2432), 327 (64th BS, 41-2432), 335 (photos), 336 (HAD scheme), 342 (modifications), 343 (nickname), 404 (index The Last Straw) Ken’s Men Against The Empire The Illustrated History of the 43rd Bombardment Group During World War II Volume I: Prewar to October 1943 The B-17 Era (2020) pages 213 (photo nose art), 257 (photo nose guns), 314 (54th TCW), 334 (63rd BS, 41-2432), 336 (64th BS, 41-2432), 344 (photos), 345 (HAD scheme), 351 (modifications), 352 (nickname), 413 (index The Last Straw) Thanks to Steve Birdsall for additional information Contribute
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