"Betsy Ross" 44-6083 was the first B-17 to be assigned to the 398th. After sustaining severe damage on the 17th October 1944 mission, pilot Perry Powell, assisted by co-pilot Samual Walker, instructed the rest of the crew to bale out and safely landed the aircraft in a field close to Belare in Belgium, Crew on board the 17th October 1944 mission: Pilot-Perry Powell Co-pilot-Samual Walker Navigator-Hancock, Jnr Bombardier-Bruce Phelps Engineer/Gunner-Clarence Harper Radio-Robert Colgan Ball Turret Gunner-K.R. Smith Waist Gunner-Marvin Luckie Tail Gunner-Thomas L'Estrange