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| USAAF 13th AF Former Assignments 5th BG 72nd BS 11th BG 42nd BS |
Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2298. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress serial number 41-2487. On December 30, 1941 delivered to Langley Field. On January 19, 1942 at Duncan, OK. On January 27, 1942 at Hamilton Field then flown to Hickam Field. Wartime History On February 21, 1942 assigned to the 11th Bombardment Group (11th BG), 42nd Bombardment Squadron (42nd BS) as a replacement aircraft. No known nickname or nose art. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Espiritu Santo. On December 16, 1942 one of six took off at 6:45am from Bomber 1 Airfield on Espiritu Santo piloted by Captain Jack N. Levy on a bombing mission led by Captain Earl O. Hall against Munda Airfield on New Georgia. Each bomber was armed with twenty 100 pound fragmentation bombs. At 11:58am the formation arrived over the target were spotted by enemy fighters that did not attack. After bombing the target, the formation was intercepted by twelve Zeros. Later, assigned to the 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG), 72nd Bombardment Squadron (72nd BS). No known nickname or nose art. On May 1, 1943 took off from Nadi Airfield in Fiji piloted by Leon Rockwell for slow time flying. On August 27, 1943 took off from Nadi Airfield in Fiji on a flight to Tontouta Airfield on New Caledonia. When the 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG) tranistioned to B-24 Liberators, this B-17 was one of at least three South Pacific (SoPAC) B-17E Flying Fortress bombers modified into armed transports. During the conversion, the top turret was removed and the newer U.S. stars and bar insignia applied. Afterwards, use as a transport and "fat cat" for supply runs from Guadalcanal to Australia. Possibly, during 1944, flown back across the Pacific to Hickam Field. On June 11, 1944 officially written off. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2487 Leon Rockwell Diary (5th BG, 31st BS) May 1, 1943 "slow time 41-2487 out of Fiji." Leon Rockwell Diary (5th BG, 31st BS) August 27, 1943 "We sent three B-17s to Tontouta, New Caledonia to be converted into cargo ships - We are the last of the B-17s in the area only 18 remain." Wings Over New Zealand Forum - The B-17 Flying Fortress in New Zealand page 6 Thanks to Steve Birdsall for additional information Contribute
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