44-8218

media-31424.jpeg UPL 31424 B-17G serial 44-8218 "Baby Shoes III/Downbeat" (coded 4N-V), a PFF ship assigned to the 833rd Bomb Sq, 486th BG. She flew nine missions with the Group between 30 December 1944 and 8 March 1945. Carrying a single infant's shoe for luck, 1st Lt Edward C Unger [Rear 3rd from Right], 833rd Bomb Sq, 486th BG completed his 28th mission on 13 January 1945 flying this aircraft as Group Lead (with Capt Roy Wilson, Jr) to bomb a rail bridge near Mainz, Germany.

[NB caption states these are members of this B-17s "crew," but gentleman at rear far right is one of the 486th BG chaplains - possibly 1st Lt Robert L. Costner.]

https://www.fold3.com/image/55703684?terms=Edward%20C%20Unger

Object Number - UPL 31424 - B-17G serial 44-8218 "Baby Shoes III/Downbeat" (coded 4N-V), a PFF ship assigned to the 833rd Bomb Sq, 486th BG. She flew nine missions with the...

Delivered Dallas 14/7/44; Langley 15/8/44; Dow Fd 18/9/44; Assigned PFF 533BS/94BG Rougham 29/9/44; transferred 833BS/486BG [4N-V] Sudbury 12/44; {9m} taxi accident with Stewart Tayler 16/10/45; RetUS, Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 5/11/45. BABY SHOE III aka DOWNBEAT.