42-3259 Snafu : Alabama Whirlwind

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3259) nicknamed "SNAFU" of the 94th Bomb Goup in flight. Written on slide casing: 'SNAFU, B-17F.' FRE 5821 FRE 5821 A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3259) nicknamed "SNAFU" of the 94th Bomb Goup in flight. Written on slide casing: 'SNAFU, B-17F.'

Caption Roger Freeman's book "The Mighty Eighth - War Paint & Heraldry":
"SNAFU, an early combat B-17F of the 332nd Bomb Squadron, 94th Bomb Group, photographed during May 1943, displays typical Fortress markings prior to the introduction of the Group device. Squadron code letters are in the standard position forward of the cocarde and the call-letter is aft of the waist gun position, all in Sky S shade. The cocarde star has been dulled and the olive drab had yet to fade, the aircraft being not two months off the production line." Roger Freeman Collection

Info courtesy of 8th af historical society facebook group. 

Off

Object Number - FRE 5821 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3259) nicknamed "SNAFU" of the 94th Bomb Goup in flight. Written on slide casing: 'SNAFU, B-17F.' Caption...

Delivered Denver 13/4/43; Cheyenne 16/4/43; Dow Fd 30/4/43; Assigned 332BS/94BG [XM-D] SNAFU Earls Colne 10/5/43; Rougham 13/6/43; transferred 546BS/384BG [BK-N] Grafton Underwood 16/7/43; 545BS [JD-T]; 2 SAD Lt Staughton 31/12/43; Shipdam Afd 1/3/44; Cheddington 14/3/44; Returned to the USA Tinker 5/8/44; Recl Comp 3/1/46. ALABAMA WHIRLWIND.

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 1st Scouting Force 385th Fighter Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728536
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-669278
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Black and white arial shot of 3 aircraft runways and building surrounded by open fields
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Godfrey Army Airfield : Bangor Army Airfield : Dow AF Base

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

13 April 1943 - 16 April 1943 For modification

Delivered

16 April 1943 - 30 April 1943 For modification

Delivered

30 April 1943 - 10 May 1943 For move to England

Assigned

10 May 1943 - 13 June 1943 94th Bomb Group, 332nd Bomb Squadron

Transferred

13 June 1943 - 16 July 1943 Rougham, Station 468

Transferred

16 July 1943 - 31 December 1943 384th Bomb Group, 546th Bomb Squadron, 545th Bomb Squadron

Transferred

31 December 1943 - 1 March 1944 2nd Advance Air Depot (2 SAD)

Transferred

1 March 1944 - 14 March 1944 44th Bombardment Group

Transferred

14 March 1944 - 5 August 1944 44th Bomb Group

Other

Returned

5 August 1944 - 3 January 1946 Tinker Army Airfield.

Transferred

3 January 1946 - 3 January 1946 Reclamation Finance Center.  Sold for scrap

Revisions

Date
ContributorTallPaul19
Changes
Sources

Aircraft details added from 8th airforce historical society facebook group. 

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

AAM assoicated image

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

"B-17 Flying Fortress Story" - Roger Freeman
"The 25th BG (Rcn) in World War II" - Norman Malayney - page 279

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-3259: Gallery (3 items)