This B-17E was delivered to Lowry Field in March 1942 and despatched to Hickham Field, Hawaii for assignment with 19th Bomb Group in April. It was re-assigned to 43BG in the following month and served with that outfit for a year before being sent back to the USA as a battle-weary veteran with, according to press reports, 203 missions completed. Probably used for publicity and War Bonds Drives the left side of the nose was embellished with marks indicating six aircraft kills, eight ships sunk and the seven long strings of bombs marks to note its combat service.

In January 1945, the B17 was transferred to the 15th Air Force in Italy. What became of it then is uncertain as some reports indicate it was salvaged in North Africa on 23rd August 1945. However, Aircraft Accident Reports indicate it was involved in a landing accident at Goose Bay, Labrador on that date (although this is duplicated in the listing and may be a typo error). Clarification is sought.

My thanks to Steve Birdsall for providing the vital details on the history of this long serving veteran.

 

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© Ray Bowden 9 December 2023