42-31435 West End
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 4885 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31435) nicknamed "West's End" of the 384th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'West's End, 231435....
Delivered Cheyenne 31/10/43; Gt Falls 2/11/43; Kansas City 7/12/43; Eglin 17/12/43; Wright Fd 11/1/44. Documents suggest test was for the improved azimuth tail guns modification. (The special fixed, six-gun nose turret was fitted overseas.); Kearney 14/1/44; Oklahoma City 26/1/44; Grenier 18/2/44; Assigned 544BS/384BG [SU-S] Grafton Underwood 2/3/44; [27m] mission to Orleans, France 6/7/44, with Rich Maggart, Co-pilot: George Seidlein, Navigator: Len Galloway, tog-Cecil Hamilton, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Chas Gregory, Radio Operator: John Johnson, Ball turret gunner: Tom Philpott, Waist gunner: George Huff,Tail gunner: Andy Bellomo (9 Returned to Duty); flak damage KO’d three engines and made force landed at RAF Manston; Salvaged AFSC 7/7/44. WEST END.
Made battle damage landing 11-May-44. Fitted with fixed, six gun chin modification and returned to service 6-Jun-44. [www.joebaugher.com]
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33574325
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19115653 / O-758505
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Private
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-768814
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Cheyenne Airport : Jerry Olson Field
Missions
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Delivered |
31 October 1943 | Delivered Cheyenne AAF 31-Oct-43.Cheyenne delivery was at United Air Lines Modification Center. | |
|
Assigned |
2 March 1944 | Assigned to 544BS, 384BG, 8AF USAAF. | |
|
Other Force landed |
11 May 1944 | Made battle damage landing 11-May-44. | |
|
Other Modified |
12 May 1944 - 6 June 1944 | Fitted with fixed, six gun chin modification and returned to service 6-Jun-44. | |
|
Other Force landed |
6 July 1944 | Mission to Orleans, France 6-Jul-44; flak damage KO’d three engines and made force landed at RAF Manston 9 x RTD. | |
|
Manufactured |
Built at Boeing, Seattle ( not Douglas, Long Beach). |
Revisions
Added basic markings and finish as cited in various Freeman and other 8th AF basic camouflage and markings references.
P. Marchese Feb 01v2024
