5th Air Force B-17E Armed Transport

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Steve Birdsall
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5th Air Force B-17E Armed Transport

Post by Steve Birdsall »

Image

Can anyone confirm the identity of this B-17E armed transport? Available information suggests it belonged to the 317th Troop Carrier Group. If so, it can only be one of two aircraft – 41-2408 of the 46th Troop Carrier Squadron or 41-2665 from the 40th Squadron. Which one is it?

Steve Birdsall
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Re: 5th Air Force B-17E Armed Transport

Post by Steve Birdsall »

I'll try to come at this from another angle . . . has anybody seen a photo of a B-17 displaying the number 41(on 41-2665) or 97 (on 41-2408) behind the cockpit?

billthornton
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Re: 5th Air Force B-17E Armed Transport

Post by billthornton »

no but , this bird is awsome.
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GordyB2
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Re: 5th Air Force B-17E Armed Transport

Post by GordyB2 »

Hi Steve,

Recapping; the 46th had B-17E 41-2440 per DAT VHCBC from mid 43 besides later having 41-2408 #97 on the 27/11/43. 41-2440 was absent thereafter post November 43
So,....seems to be a sky painted under O/D though, not disruptive RAF, though I doubt the scheme would still be around in 1944 post overhaul. Reminds me of a earlier overhaul paint job per B-17C 40-2072 with its high sky line.
41-2408 and 41-2440 were a ex HAD three tone camo,...so they had to be repainted some time in 42-43 after withdrawal from combat.

The 41st had a B-17F 41-24357 with a nose number of #75 " The Super Chief" and only was "on" in Dec 43.

The 40th had 41-2665 per 01/01/44 ,..its Group or Nose number was #41 and only was "on" in Dec 43. This aircraft could have been a redirected RAF Fortress which could reflect the paint scheme. But I've seen that high per 41-9244.

It, as all of the above , was received from the 5thAAF Service Command Depot #2, Townsville

So I guess if you can establish which photo heraldry per Unit, it would be a easy job,...but I guess that's the missing link. But the date,......too close

Much like the below pic at PM,..which I think is the same aircraft given the marking and similarities,...but same problemo

Best
Gordy
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GordyB2
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Re: 5th Air Force B-17E Armed Transport

Post by GordyB2 »

oops forgot the pic
Attachments
B-17F 19thBG Port Moresby 1942.jpg
B-17F 19thBG Port Moresby 1942.jpg (161.46 KiB) Viewed 11156 times

GordyB2
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Re: 5th Air Force B-17E Armed Transport

Post by GordyB2 »

oops wrong the pic
Attachments
B-17E
B-17E
B-17E Port Moresby Rev LL RAF Reduced.jpg (143.03 KiB) Viewed 11156 times

Steve Birdsall
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Re: 5th Air Force B-17E Armed Transport

Post by Steve Birdsall »

Thanks Gordy. I got a lucky break a while ago and, thanks entirely to Peter May, I was able to confirm that Pretty Baby was definitely 41-2665.

I have VHCBC as 41-2497, originally Tojo's Nightmare with the 19th Bomb Group, and 41-2440 as Calamity Jane, at least after it went from Hardison's 93rd Squadron to the 394th Squadron in the South Pacific.

I think all those B-17 armed transports were repainted at some stage, and not to the original Boeing factory specifications - quite far from it in some cases. I wish I could find out more about that.

That final photo you posted is dated November 1, 1942 in the official caption. If that date is correct, it must be one of two aircraft - 41-9234 or 41-9244. It was originally intended for the RAF and I believe is painted in the British "Temperate Sea" camouflage scheme. Here's 41-9234 in August 1942 . . .

Image

GordyB2
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Re: 5th Air Force B-17E Armed Transport

Post by GordyB2 »

Hi Steve
You're correct. My bad eyesight

DAT Rego Type Serial C/n On Date Name
VHCBA Boeing B-17C-BO 40-2072 2073 Mar-42 "Pamela"
VHCBC Boeing B-17E-BO 41-2408 2218 09/42
VHCBC Boeing B-17E-BO 41-2497 2308 Jul-42 "Tojo's Nightmare" then "Mac Mac"
VHCBD Boeing B-17E-BO 41-2440 2251 09/42
VHCBE Boeing B-17E-BO 41-2593 2408 Sep-42 "Bataan"
VHCBH Boeing B-17E-BO 41-2432 2243 Oct-43 "The Last Straw"
VHCBI Boeing B-17E-BO 41-2458 2269 Oct-43 "Yankee Didd'ler"
VHCBJ Boeing B-17E-BO 41-2462 2273 Oct-43 "Tojo's Jinx"/"Billy"
VHCBK Boeing B-17E-BO 41-2633 2444 Sep-42 "Sally"

Best
Gordy

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