41-24577 Hell's Angels
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 4260 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (VK-D, serial number 41-24577) nicknamed "Hell's Angel" of the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group in flight. Passed for...
B-17F 41-24577 "Hells Angels" was assigned to 358BS/303BG [VK-D] Bangor 14-Oct-42; arrived at Molesworth 24-Oct-42; in landing accident with Irl E. Baldwin 26-Apr-43; slated to RAF 100 Squadron, but retained by 803rd BS ATD (American Training Detachment) before completing 48 missions without an abort or any crewman injured. Returned to the USA at Newark, New Jersey on 10 February 1944 for War Bond tour. 41-24577 was the first aircraft to complete 25 missions in the UK, earlier than the much more publicized "Memphis Belle" reached the same status. Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Searcey Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma on 7 August 1945. "HELL'S ANGELS".
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: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-427113
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-724122
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19071420
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11040361
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O742136
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 14 July 1943
- Date: 14 May 1943
- Date: 13 May 1943
- Date: 4 May 1943
- Date: 5 April 1943
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 6-Dec-2015. Corrected arrival date at Molesworth per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, historian.
![Colonel Stanley T. Wray of the 91st Bomb Group in front of aB-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hell's Angels". Passed as censored 18 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'His Bomb Group Has Destroyed More Enemy Aircraft Than Any Other Group In U.S. Air Forces. [Caption damaged…] Photo Shows - Colonel Stanley T. Wray photographed at an American airfield in Britain. SEA July 15th 1943 PN.' On reverse: US Army Censor [Stamp]. Print No: 274994](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-408159.jpg.webp?itok=-tg3qD1w)
![Ground crew of the 303rd Bomb Group load bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hell's Angels". Passed for publication 18 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- Loading 2000 lb. bombs into the bomb bays of "Hell's Angels", a B-17 Flying Fortress (see story). SEA July 17th 1943 PN.' On reverse: Planet News Ltd, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407586.jpg.webp?itok=trqlvTQo)
![Ground grew of the 303rd Bomb Group load bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hell's Angels" . Passed for publication 18 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- Loading 2000 lb. bombs into the bomb bays of "Hell's Angels", a B-17 Flying Fortress (see story). SEA July 17th 1943. PN.' On reverse: Planet News Ltd, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407589.jpg.webp?itok=k6VEHjOR)
![A B-17 Flying Fortress (VK-H) nicknamed "Hell's Angel" of the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group in flight. Passed for publication 10 Sep 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Hell's Angel, 8/9/43, VK.' On reverse: US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407656.jpg.webp?itok=I5J2gBMK)
![Personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (VK-D, serial number 41-24577) nicknamed "Hell's Angels" and Molesworth. Image stamped on reverse: 'Daily Sketch.'[stamp] Printed caption on reverse: 'Hell's Angels and crew after her final mission. First bomber in the Eighth to fly 25 missions this original B-17F of 303rd BG was sent home to the US on a bonds tour. Molesworth personnel were allowed to autograph her as the photograph shows.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-418367.jpg.webp?itok=yKJZj3ln)
![Personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group sign their names on a B-17 Flying Fortress (VK-D, serial number 41-24577) nicknamed "Hell's Angels" at Molesworth. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Graphic Photo Union.' [stamp], 'Daily Sketch Copyright.' [stamp]. Handwritten caption on reverse: '"Hell's Angels" VK-D Molesworth, Hants.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378863.jpg.webp?itok=TiC84K3R)