-
B-17F 42-29673 'Old Bill' having its nose art painted on by nose art was painted by Bruce Bairnsfather.
-
The battle damaged cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Old Bill" of the 305th Bomb Group, May 1943. Written on slide casing: '20 mm damage, 5/43 Old Bill.'
-
Capt. William Douglas Whitson after being decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross at Chelveston, England on 25 July 1943 for his actions on 25 May 1943 whilst piloting the B-17 # 42-29623 named "Old Bill". He successfully landed his crippled aircraft having had the nose of the plane shot off, bombardier killed, and he and his co-pilot wounded.
-
Nose Art painted by noted cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather.
-
Close-up of nose art saved after plane was scrapped due to severe battle damage received 15 May 1943 when the plane's nose was shot off.
-
42-29673 "Old Bill" 422nd BS 305th BG, damaged on Wangerooge 15 may 43, navigator killed).
L-R: Cpl Willis Todd, Cpl Zimmerman
-
Nose art from 305th Bomb Group, 365th Bomb Squadron B-17F "Old Bill," removed in the process of repairing severe battle damage.
-
B-17F 42-29673 'Old Bill' undergoing maintenance whilst finishing touches are added to the nose art by nose art was painted by Bruce Bairnsfather.
-
B-17F 42-29673 'Old Bill' after taking a 20mm round in the nose. nose art was painted by Bruce Bairnsfather. Sgt Willis Todd in the nose. Sgt Zimmerman on the steps.
-
B-17 42-29673 'Old Bill' combat report.
Delivered Denver 31/1/43; Gt Falls 8/2/43; Morrison 5/3/43; Assigned 365BS/305BG [XK-S] Chelveston 6/4/43; then 422BS [JJ-S]; severe battle damaged Wangerooge 15/5/43 with Capt Bill Whitson, Co-pilot: Harry Holt, Bombardier: Bob Barrall (wia), Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Albt Haymon (wia), Radio Operator: Fred Bewak (wia), Ball turret gunner: Edgar Nichols, Waist gunner: Homer Ramsey, Waist gunner: John Breen, Tail gunner: Ken Meyer, photo-George Friend (10 Returned to Duty); Navigator: Doug Venable (Killed in Action); crash landed base on return, Salvaged 16/5/43. OLD BILL.
Service
Units
-
Group
The 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), nicknamed "Can Do" was activated 1-March-1942 at Salt Lake City Air Base, Utah which was their primary training base until 11-Jun-1942 when they relocated to Geiger Field, Washington until 29-Jun-1942, then on to...
-
-
People
-
Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Assigned to 422BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF. On 15-May-43 20 mm shells from Fw190 came through nose, shot away plexiglass of B-17 'Old Bill' B-17 42-29673 killing the navigator and wounding both pilots, Barrall flew the A/C home where the pilot having...
-
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
15 May 1943 20 mm shells from FW190 came through window, shot away plexiglass nose. Plane was Old Bill B-17 42-29673
Awards: Silver Star.
-
Military | Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Assigned to 422BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF. 15-May-43 20 mm shells from FW190 came through window, shot away plexiglass nose of B-17 42-29673 'Old Bill'. Later had mid air collision with RAF Beaufighter on training mission in B17 42-5376 'Eager Eagle' 31-Aug...
-
Military | Technical Sergeant | Photographer | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Assigned to 422BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF. 15-May-43, 20 mm shells from FW190 came through window and shot away plexiglass nose of B-17 42-29673, 'Old Bill'. Shot down 14-Jul-43 in B-17 42-3049 'Windy City Challenger'. Prisoner of War (POW). MACR 64
...
-
Military | Technical Sergeant | Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
15 May 1944 20 mm shells from FW190 came through window, shot away plexiglass nose. Plane was Old Bill B-17 42-29673.
Awards: SS, WWII Victory, EAME.
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
15 May 1943 20 mm shells from FW190 came through window, shot away plexiglass nose. Plane was Old Bill B-17 42-29673
-
Military | Technical Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Assigned to 422BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF. 15-May-43 20 mm shells from FW190 came through window, shot away plexiglass nose. Plane was B-17 42-29673 'Old Bill'. Awarded Silver star for landing A/C after crew wounded by fighter attack. RTD
...
-
Military | Staff Sergeant | Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
15 May 1943 20 mm shells from FW190 came through window, shot away plexiglass nose. Plane was Old Bill B-17 42-29673
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Hit and killed by flak that came into the cabin. 20 mm shells from FW190 came through window, shot away plexiglass nose of B-17F 42-29673 'Old Bill' Killed in Action (KIA) May 15, 1943
Awards: SS, AM, PH.
-
Military | Captain | Pilot | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Assigned to 422BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF. Wounded along with Co-pilot when 20mm round from enemy fighter exploded in nose of B-17 42-29673 'Old Bill', 15-May-43. Bombardier flew back to base where Capt Whitson landed the damaged A/C. Later with 3 engines...
Places
-
Military site : airfield
Chelveston was adapted and expanded in preparation for the arrival of American forces. Rather than heavy bombers, the first aircraft to fly from its runways were C-47 Skytrains that were flown by the 60th Troop Carrier Group in July 1942. The first...
Events
Not yet known