42-31454 You Cant Miss! (cahnt)
Picture from the daughter of Carl R Thompson
Object Number - UPL 42444 - 42-31454
Delivered Cheyenne 2/11/43; Gt Falls 6/11/43; Kearney 19/11/43; Romulus 2/12/43; Bangor 4/12/43; Assigned 368BS/306BG [BO-B] Thurleigh 30/12/43; secret mission 4/11/44, ret gp 9/11/44; transferred 29TAC 24/5/45; Salvaged 31/1/46. ST ANTHONY.
Connections
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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: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19115292 / O-758386
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-680764
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot; Pilot; Personal Equipment Officer
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: You Cant Miss! (cahnt)
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Added Production Block Number and Manufacturer per info on the internet.
SOURCE: https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/production-block/b-17g-20-bo-42-31432-4…
Dad told this story about the plane's nickname: When they were returning to base after one of their missions, they were low on fuel and contacted the network of British locals on radio to find a nearby base. The woman repeatedly gave directions such as "follow the road and turn left at the big barn - ya can't miss!" ["Ya can't miss it" was erroneously added to a stained-glass piece gifted to my dad.]
Information from the Daughter of Carl Ray Thompson. The photo, although not showing the whole serial is the only 42-3145? assigned to the 368th and the markings match up with the historical info so it is fair to assume that this is the aircraft
