42-29704 The Spook

Staff Sergeant Hillabrant, a tail gunner of the 95th Bomb Group, with his aircraft, a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-29704) nicknamed "The Spook". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'The Spook, John Hillabrant (RG) Africa 4/43.' media-379275.jpg FRE 839 Staff Sergeant Hillabrant, a tail gunner of the 95th Bomb Group, with his aircraft, a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-29704) nicknamed "The Spook". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'The Spook, John Hillabrant (RG) Africa 4/43.' Roger Freeman Collection

Person associated from Freeman Collection image caption information.

Object Number - FRE 839 - Staff Sergeant Hillabrant, a tail gunner of the 95th Bomb Group, with his aircraft, a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-29704) nicknamed "The...

Delivered Cheyenne 6/2/43; Rapid City 20/2/43; Kearney 12/3/43; Assigned 336BS/95BG [ET-J] Alconbury 29/3/43; Framlingham 12/5/43; 2m, battle damaged L’Orient, crash landed RAF Exeter 17/5/43 with R.P. Bender. 10RTD.; Salvaged 18/5/43. SPOOK.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 95th Bomb Group.

95th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Four airmen of the 95th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'L to R: W. Isaacs (B) D.Merton(CP) J.Bader (N) R. Bender(P). 95BG en route to Africa'

Robert P Bender

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Earl B Bennett

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Donald W Bryan

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer

William H Clarke

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Lloyd H Glick

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Cheyenne, WY 6 February 1943

Assigned

RAF Alconbury 29 March 1943

Crashed

RAF Exeter 17 May 1943

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

95th Bomb Group Memorials Foundation 

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b17_11.html
B-17 Flying Fortress Story - Roger Freeman

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added nickname mentioned in the "Description".

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-29704: Gallery (2 items)

Staff Sergeant Hillabrant, a tail gunner of the 95th Bomb Group, with his aircraft, a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-29704) nicknamed "The Spook". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'The Spook, John Hillabrant (RG) Africa 4/43.'

Object number: FRE 839 - Staff Sergeant Hillabrant, a tail gunner of the...

A Bomber crew of the 95th Bomb Group with their aircraft a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-29704) nicknamed "The Spook". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Standing L to R W. Clarke, J. Hillabrant, L Glick, E. Bennett. Bottom: D. Morton, J. Van Arscall, J.Bader.'

Object number: FRE 840 - A Bomber crew of the 95th Bomb Group with their...