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  B-17E "Chico / I'm Willing" Serial Number 41-2638  
USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
65th BS

Former Assignments
19th BG
28th BS

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USAAF April 10, 1942

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AP c1943

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43rd BG April 25, 1943

Aircraft History
Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2449. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress serial number 41-2638. On April 10, 1942 this B-17 was inspected at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia arriving on April 30, 1942.

Wartime History
During May 1942, assigned to the 5th Air Force, 19th Bombardment Group, 28th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "Chico" on the left side of the nose. On the right side of the nose was "I'm Willing" with a nude woman reclining.

Next, assigned to the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 65th Bombardment Squadron (65th BS). This B-17 operated from northern Queensland and 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby flying bombing missions over New Guinea.

During the first week of November 1943, ferried back across the Pacific to the United States arriving November 24, 1943. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped circa 1946.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2638
"2638 returned to USA 1943. Salvaged in 1946?"
Fortress Against The Sun pages 368, 387, 418 footnote 34, 424 footnote 23
Oz@War - Frank Hohmann (photo)
Thanks to Steve Birdsall for additional information

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Last Updated
February 13, 2024

 

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B-17

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