42-97325 Lucky Penny

media-28578.jpeg UPL 28578 42-97325 crash 2

AAF accident report

Object Number - UPL 28578 - 42-97325 crash 2

Available: 18 February 1944 - Boeing Aircraft Co, Seattle, Washington

Cheyenne Modification Center: 25 February 1944

Grand Island AAF: 8 March 1944

Grenier AAF: 20 March 1944



Assigned: 7 April 1944 - 8th AF / 94th CBW / 508BS / 351BG - (RAF Polebrook)



17 combat missions



Mid-air collision: Tuesday, 23 May 1944 @ 0635 hrs (Pilot error)



8th AF mission: 364 / 351st BG mission: 131 (Epinal, France – Marshalling yard)



Collision with B-24J-140-CO #42-110172 (Pilot: 1Lt Kenneth C Barton)



The lead box (B wing), which Lt. Crowe was leading the low squadron, was assembling in a left hand circle around Splasher #6. As it turned to a northerly heading, one group of B-24s passed in front on a west heading.



A second group of B-24s, approaching from the east failed to turn in time. This formation had its back to the sun that made seeing them, from the B-17 formation, almost impossible.



#3 & 4 engine & outboard wing of #42-97325 struck just forward of the left waist window of the B-24, causing #42-110172 to shear in two.



AAF accident report: 44-5-24-510



(note: date on accident report is in error -- date should be 44-5-23)



Crashed marshlands Hoxne, Suffolk, Salvaged.



In 1972 an engine from Lt. Crowe's aircraft was recovered and restored and is now

displayed in the 390th BG Museum at Parham.



Pete Crowe, Co-pilot: Norris Nelson, Navigator: Bob Russeth, Bombardier: Frank Rubin, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gerald Fiebelkorn, Tail gunner: Frank Lopez (6 Killed in Action). Radio Operator: Theo Popp, Ball turret gunner: Edwin Harden, Waist gunner: Joe Duggan (all 3 injured but Returned to Duty).

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16029895 at enlistment, then O-735077
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Co-Pilot / Tail Gunner / Ball Turret Gunner

Places

Missions

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a connection to the 8th AF Mission #364 for 23 May 1944 listed in the A/C Description section.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added Production block number and Manufacturer per info on the internet.
SOURCE: https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/production-block/b-17g-45-bo-42-97173-4…

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Corrected a typo in the "Summary biography" - "Splasher" was misspelled.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
Contributorterveurn
Changes
Sources

from aircraft card

Date
Contributorterveurn
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Sources

351st bg web site
accident report

Date
Contributorterveurn
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from 351st BG

Date
Contributorterveurn
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Sources

clean-up for readability

Date
Contributorterveurn
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basic information

Date
Contributorterveurn
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Basic reference / 351st BG unit histories

Date
Contributorterveurn
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AAF accident reports

Date
Contributorterveurn
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Sources

AAF accident report 44-5-21-510

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-97325: Gallery (2 items)