42-29706 Passion Flower

Ground crew of the 95th Bomb Group attend to an explosion caused whilst loading bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress at Alconbury. Aircraft pictured are: B-17F (serial number 42-29808) and B-17F (serial number 42-29706) nicknamed "Passion Flower" (after the Disney character from 'Bambi')- both were written off as a result of the explosion. Printed caption on reverse: 'A-25287 AG Planes 3 and 4 (later) in foreground were damaged beyond repair. The scene of the explosion, which ocurred as bombs were loaded in

Object Number - FRE 833 - Ground crew of the 95th Bomb Group attend to an explosion caused whilst loading bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress at Alconbury. Aircraft pictured...

Delivered Cheyenne 7/2/43; Rapid City 22/2/43; Kearney 12/3/43; Morrison 14/4/43; Dow Fd 21/4/43; Assigned 412BS/95BG [QW-W] Alconbury 25/4/43; 3m, Written off after another aircraft 42-29685 exploded nearby on base 27/5/43, Salvaged. PASSION FLOWER.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

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

John E Carlisle

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34686450
  • Highest Rank: Private
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator; Mechanic

Robert Charles Cozens

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-727183
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot/Pilot
Staff Sergeant Donald W. Crossley, a tail gunner of the 95th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp] Handwritten caption on reverse: '21/9/43.' A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse of print, this has been lost, however considering the publication date, press agency and subject matter this was likely to have read: 'AWARDS TO THE HIGH-SCORING GUNNER. The Distinguished Flying Cross and an oak leaf cluster- the equivalent

Donald William Crossley

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15107390
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Thomas F Cunningham

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few
  • Service Numbers: 6995260
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator; Mechanic

Wallace F Henderson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11068215
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator; Mechanic

Places

Missions

Aircraft

Ground crew of the 95th Bomb Group attend to an explosion caused whilst loading bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress at Alconbury. Aircraft pictured are: B-17F (serial number 42-29808) and B-17F (serial number 42-29706) nicknamed "Passion Flower" (after the Disney character from 'Bambi')- both were written off as a result of the explosion. Printed caption on reverse: 'A-25287 AG Planes 3 and 4 (later) in foreground were damaged beyond repair. The scene of the explosion, which ocurred as bombs were loaded in

42-29685

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron

42-29833

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group Fame's Favoured Few 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Cheyenne, WY 7 February 1943

Assigned

RAF Alconbury 25 April 1943

Other

Damaged beyond repair DBR

RAF Alconbury 27 May 1943 Written off after another aircraft 42-29685 exploded nearby on base 27/5/43.

Other

Salvaged

RAF Alconbury 30 May 1943 Salvaged.

Revisions

Date19 May 2022 10:33:21
ContributorAl_Skiff
Sources

AAM DB Entry.
http://95thbg.org/j3migr/95thbg-aircraft/95th-b-17-s-1942

Date21 Jul 2020 19:13:09
Contributor466thHistorian
Sources

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b17_11.html

Date21 Jul 2020 19:11:48
Contributor466thHistorian
Sources

https://95thbg.mmsw.eu/aircraft/31

Date8 Jan 2016 16:04:12
ContributorPaul Bellamy
Sources

Loss location corrected from Framlingham to Alconbury.
(Source: 1AD HQ Archive - 92BG records, 95BG records, 1st Bomb Division records)

Date15 Dec 2015 11:37:41
ContributorAl_Skiff
Sources

AAM DB Entry.
http://95thbg.org/j3migr/95thbg-aircraft/95th-b-17-s-1942

Date27 Sep 2014 18:40:23
ContributorAAM
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-29706: Gallery (5 items)

Ground crew of the 95th Bomb Group attend to an explosion caused whilst loading bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress at Alconbury. Aircraft pictured are: B-17F (serial number 42-29808) and B-17F (serial number 42-29706) nicknamed "Passion Flower" (after the Disney character from 'Bambi')- both were written off as a result of the explosion. Official caption printed on image: 'GE-36-1-92. 27.5.43.' Printed caption on reverse: 'D-61564 AC - These Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" were considerably damaged when 50

Object number: FRE 758 - Ground crew of the 95th Bomb Group attend to an...

Ground crew of the 95th Bomb Group attend to an explosion caused whilst loading bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress at Alconbury. Aircraft pictured are: B-17F (serial number 42-29808) and B-17F (serial number 42-29706) nicknamed "Passion Flower" (after the Disney character from 'Bambi')- both were written off as a result of the explosion. Printed caption on reverse: 'A-25287 AG Planes 3 and 4 (later) in foreground were damaged beyond repair. The scene of the explosion, which ocurred as bombs were loaded in

Object number: FRE 833 - Ground crew of the 95th Bomb Group attend to an...

Object number: UPL 19492 - Flying Fortress B-17F 42-29706 'Flower' 412nd BS...

Object number: UPL 19493 - Flying Fortress B-17F 42-29706 'Flower' 412nd BS...

Object number: UPL 19506 - 'Aerial view of airbase** in England showing...