41-24480 The Bad Penny

Film Director Major William Wyler looks through the waist gun position of a B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-B) of the 91st Bomb Group during the filming of 'Memphis Belle'. Passed as censored 1 Feb 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'How a Flying Fortress Protects Itself: Major William Wyler, who directed the famous film 'Mrs Minniver', is now busy directing an instructional film for the U.S. Army Air Force, showing how a 'Flying Fortress' protects itself against attack by enemy fighters. The Fortress is loaded w media-408254.jpg FRE 3660 Film Director Major William Wyler looks through the waist gun position of a B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-B) of the 91st Bomb Group during the filming of 'Memphis Belle'. Passed as censored 1 Feb 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'How a Flying Fortress Protects Itself: Major William Wyler, who directed the famous film 'Mrs Minniver', is now busy directing an instructional film for the U.S. Army Air Force, showing how a 'Flying Fortress' protects itself against attack by enemy fighters. The Fortress is loaded with cameras in place of the guns and Spitfires, piloted by U.S. Army Air Force Pilots, acting parr of enemy aircraft, are making the attacks, which are recorded by the cine-men and their cameras. Photo shows - Cameras installed on Fortress in place of guns.' On reverse: US Army Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamp]. Print No: 246348. Roger Freeman Collection

Roger Freeman Photo - Caption text
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/381 - Description text

Object Number - FRE 3660 - Film Director Major William Wyler looks through the waist gun position of a B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-B) of the 91st Bomb Group during the filming of...

Assigned 324BS/91BG [DF-B] Bangor 31/8/42; Bassingbourn 26/9/42; 322BS [LG-A] 5/43 16+m; taken off operations and transferred 403 AD 2/7/43; 8AF HQ Sqd 15/8/43 for VIP duties. Salvaged 19/10/44. Used as camera ship to film Major William Wilder's Memphis Belle film. THE BAD PENNY.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Charles H Mathers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Ground Crew

John R McCrary

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Eighth Air Force
  • Service Numbers: 18062154 / ?
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Public Relations 8th Air Force

Raymond T Moore

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer

James Moore

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Thomas Mullenik

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ground crew

Places

Aircraft

Events

Event Location Date Description

Assigned

Bassingbourn, Royston SG8 5LP, UK 31 August 1942 Assigned to 324BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF 31-Aug-42. Transferred to 322BS May-43.

Assigned

97 Largy Rd, Crumlin BT29 4RT, UK 2 July 1943 Transferred to 403rd Air Depot.

Assigned

High Wycombe, UK 15 August 1943 Transferred to HQ Sqn, 8AF for VIP duties.

Manufactured

Seattle, WA, USA Built at Boeing.

Delivered

Washington, USA Delivewred to USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorTallPaul19
Changes
Sources

Production block number error corrected

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Fighting Colors: The Creation of Military Aircraft Nose Art by Gary Velasco.

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

AAM

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Fighting Colors: The Creation of Military Aircraft Nose Art by Gary Velasco.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

41-24480: Gallery (22 items)