42-97334 H-a-a-rd luck !

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 8215 - The nose art of a B-17G Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97334) nicknamed "H-a-a-rd Luck!" of the 390th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse:...
Delivered Cheyenne 19/2/44; Gr Island 4/3/44; Dow Fd 4/4/44; Assigned 336BS/95BG [ET-S] Horham 4/4/44; on 24/5/44 with Frank Cobb, Co-pilot: John Waddell, Navigator: Lloyd Krueger, Bombardier: Walt Weakland, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jim Evanson, Radio Operator: Quentin Newswanger, Ball turret gunner: Frank Tomsey, Waist gunner: Herman Fleet, Waist gunner: Jim Krgrakis, Tail gunner: Ivy Ellender, all OK RTD, brakes locked up, left tyre burst and ran off end of runway; 45m Missing in Action Brux 11/9/44 with Vance Mooring, Co-pilot: Carl Swanson, Navigator: Alf Janson, Bombardier: Bob Woerke, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Chas Stein, Radio Operator: Frank Aliveto, Ball turret gunner: Tom Merriman, Waist gunner: Bill Martin, Tail gunner: John Weber (9 Prisoner of War); left formation with right wing burning, crashed Schmalzgrube, near Erzgebirge, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 8892. H-A-A-RD LUCK !.
Connections
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Units served with

- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36688087
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 20441207
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12166145
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places

- Site type: Airfield
Missions
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
11 September 1944 |
Revisions
Added the A/C nickname listed in the A/C “Description” section.
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid readability.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8892 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database