UPL 17737

IMAGE

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Factory fresh B-17 Flying Fortesses, a B-24 Liberator, and possibly a Waco CG-4A, on the flight test strip at Langford Lodge on 13th April 1944. The aircraft are being prepared for delivery to squadrons based in England. The histories of the five aircraft with visible serials are: B-17 '2107151' was recorded at Grenier Field, New Hampshire on 7 April 1944 en route to the UK. It went to the 401st BG, (coded IW-B) acquired the name 'Cover Girl', survived the war and was returned to the USA to be disposed of at Kingman AFB. '2102518' went to the 384th BG (coded JD-K) and was salvaged in Germany towards the end of 1945, bearing the name 'Damn Yankee'. '2106992' went to the 401st BG,(coded SC-D) acquired the name 'Baby Lu' Her name was augmented by the Vargas artwork from the Esquire magazine centerfold, "Pistol Packin' Mama." It eventually ended up back in the USA to be scrapped. '2107084' was also assigned to the 401st BG (coded IW-G) and nicknamed "Betty's Revenge." She was lost 7 October 1944 over Politz; the navigator, bombardier & radio operator were all KIA. The furthest aircraft B-17G 42-97664, joined the 401st BG on 17 April 1944. Coded IY-F, she was nicknamed "Aw, Come On." She also served with the 612th Bomb Sq (re-coded SC-X) and had completed 45 missions by the war's end. Original 4" x 5" Signal Corps Neg No ETO-HQ-44-3199 (Lot No 8542) NARA Reference Number: 342-FH-3A05930-80009AC

Connections

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Units

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A pathfinder B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8258) of the 401st Bomb Group. Image by Robert Astrella. Written on slide casing: '48258 14 A, Mount Farm.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Damn Yankee
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
Factory fresh B-17s
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Baby Lu, Grin N Bear It
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
Factory fresh B-17s
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Betty's Revenge
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
Factory fresh B-17s
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Cover Girl
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
Factory fresh B-17s
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Aw Come On
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron

Locations

Revisions

Date:
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to Name, Image (alt text), Related Aircraft, Related Places and Related Units
Date:
ChangesCreated entry with caption, unit associations, place associations and aircraft associations