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

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: '390.'

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

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.
  • 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
Air Force officer pinning award or ribbon on uniform of SSG Beeks
  • 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

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 11 September 1944

Revisions

Date31 Jan 2023 17:29:45
Contributoracbernstein1
Sources

AAMB Media Archives

Date27 Nov 2021 21:15:02
Contributorjmoore43
Sources

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.

Date5 Dec 2018 10:50:01
Contributorterveurn
Sources

correct per details on photo

Date27 Sep 2014 18:41:11
ContributorAAM
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8892 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-97334: Gallery (2 items)