UPL 60776

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42-38113 "Rene III" 457th BG. Late 1943 the Douglas Long Beach plant produced its 1000th B-17 bomber model G. The workers of the Douglas plant all payed for this special plane by buying war bonds. A book was made with photos, newspaper clippings about the plane and all the Douglas plant workers signed the book. The plane and the book were given to the 457th bomb group and Luitenant Colonel J.R. Luper was proud to receive both wonderful gifts. In January 1944 the plane, B-17G-30-DL 42-38113, was flown to its new home in England, Station 130 Glatton. In England the plane was given the name ‘Rene III’ after Lt. Col. Luper’s wife. The plane flew many missions during the war but wouldn’t survive the war. Misison No.214, on March 21st 1945 she was lost over Hopsten when she was fatally hit by FLAK and crashed. Luckily almost everybody survived the crash. The book presented to Lt. Col. Luper eventually was given back to the 457th Bomb Group and was given to Duane Zemper. Thanks to Eric Zemper for use of photos from the book.

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Aircraft

Dark-colored B-17 bomber airplane parked on tarmac.  The numbers 1000 are painted in white behind the cockpit.  Under the cockpit are the words "From the Employees of the B-17 Project, Douglas, Long Beach". There is a large industrial looking building in the background
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Rene III
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron 750th Bomb Squadron

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