44-8846 The Pink Lady

The B-17G, serial number 44-8846 'Pink Lady' UPL 81844 UPL 81844 The B-17G, serial number 44-8846 'Pink Lady'

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Object Number - UPL 81844 - The B-17G, serial number 44-8846 'Pink Lady'

Delivered Cheyenne 17/1/45 where an AN/APS-15 radar unit was fitted instead of standard ball turret; Hunter 12/2/45; Grenier 25/2/45; Assigned 511BS/351BG [DS-M] Polebrook 25/3/45; 6m transferred 365BS/305BG Chelveston 23/5/45 but remained in Europe as RB-17G at Weisbaden and Tripoli, Libya before moving on the Port Lyautey, Morocco, on mapping duties. Transferred to 45Recon. Sq in 3/49. Eventually sold to French I’Institut Geographique National as F-BGSP 7/12/54, then became airworthy as F-AZDX 5/85 at Fortresse Toujours Volante, Paris, France, as MOTHER & COUNTRY (pilot’s side) and PINK LADY (co-pilot side). 

 Delivered Cheyenne Jan 17, 1945 where was fitted with AN/APS-15 radar. to Hunter Feb 12, 1945, to Grenier Feb 25, 19o45. Allocated to 511th BS, 351st BG at Polebrook Mar 25, 1945. Transferred to 365th BS, 305th BG at Chelveston. Went in 1947 to 49th RS (later 7499th Support Sqn in West Germany) and used for ELINT missions along East German border and down Berlin corridors. Assigned 47th SCS, Furstenfeldbruck, West Germany Jan 1, 1948. Assigned to 45th PRS, Furstenfeldbruck, West Germany Jan 21, 1948 Assigned to 7499th AFS, Furstenfeldbruck, West Germany Nov 2, 1948. Redesignated RB-17G Mar 22, 1949 Assigned to 7499th CS, Furstenfeldbruck, West Germany May 17, 1949. Transferred to Wiesbaden Aug 25, 1950 Assigned to 7150th ABG, Wiesbaden [Erbenheim], West Germany Jul 23, 1951 Assigned to 7499th CS, Wiesbaden [Erbenheim], West Germany Nov 7, 1951 Assigned to AMC Dec 10, 1953 and transferred to Hill AFB, UT Dec 7, 1953. [noted in transit through Prestwick, Scotland 3Dec53]. SOC late 1954, and sold to Institut Geographique 
National of France Dec 1954 as F-BGSP. WFU in 1959 and stored. Whilst with the IGN, 
spent some time in South Africa as ZS-DXM reserved but not allocated. Transferred May 1985 to Fortress Toujours Volante and e-registered as F-AZDX and is still flying. Departed Orly Oct 24, 2006 for new home at Saint-Yan. To be put on ground display at La Ferte Alais. Flown there Mar 19, 2010. 

 

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-708308
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Revisions

Date
ContributorLanLow609
Changes
Sources

Personal Photo File

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

Added factory finish . See Freeman,... STORY at block changes for camouflage drop and serial number progressions here. 

 

Added Group marking from Freeman et al, marking of 8th AF.

Date
ContributorSnautzer
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

44-8846: Gallery (1 items)