42-98008 American Beauty

A B-17 Flying Fortress (2S-G, serial number 42-98008) nicknamed "American Beauty" of the 486th Bomb Group. A censor has obscured the tail marking. media-380829.jpg FRE 2025 A B-17 Flying Fortress (2S-G, serial number 42-98008) nicknamed "American Beauty" of the 486th Bomb Group. A censor has obscured the tail marking. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 2025 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (2S-G, serial number 42-98008) nicknamed "American Beauty" of the 486th Bomb Group. A censor has obscured the tail marking.

Delivered Dallas 30/4/44; Kearney 14/6/44; Presque Is 5/7/44; Assigned PFF 834BS/486BG [2S-G] Sudbury 7/7/44; 61m transferred 92BG Podington 7/7/45; Returned to the USA Bradley 8/7/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 11/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 23/11/45. AMERICAN BEAUTY.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

A diagrammatic layout of AAF Station 174 - the USAAF codename for Sudbury airfield - while the 486th Bomb Group were stationed at the airbase as of the 22 June 1944.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 92nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-783492
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-787241
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-801436
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner

Places

Aerial photograph of Sudbury airfield looking south west, the bomb dump is to the upper right of the airfield, 29 February 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7PH/GP/LOC188. English Heritage (USAAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Acton

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Dallas, TX, USA 30 April 1944

Assigned

Sudbury CO10, UK 7 July 1944 486th BG 834th BS

Other

Salvaged

Kingman, AZ, USA 23 November 1945

Revisions

Date
ContributorRayWells
Changes
Sources

changes to connections

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

B-17 Flying Fortress Story - Roger Freeman

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-98008: Gallery (4 items)