42-31043 Hells Belle / Elsie Mae
US Air Force Official Photo via Fold 3
Delivered Cheyenne 10/9/43; Assigned 381BG Ridgewell 19/10/43; transferred 526BS/379BG [LF-L] Kimbolton 3/3/44. Originally nicknamed "Hells Belle", before changing to "Elsie Mae"
Damaged beyond repair on cross country training flight on 12/9/44 with Capt John Martin, Co-pilot: Capt Bob Harsberger, Navigator: Wayne Kalers, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Edwin Kiplinger, Radio Operator: Jim Bennett (5 Returned to Duty); landing gear collapsed 12/9/44; Salvaged 2 SAD Lt Staughton 14/9/44.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- 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: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13062517 at enlistment, the O-677207
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
Revisions
Added the Production block number and Manufacturer per info on the internet.
SOURCE: https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/production-block/b-17g-1-bo-42-31032-42…