Arlon Nessa

Military
media-32668.jpeg UPL 32668 Arlon Nessa, Aircraft Mechanic, 91st Bomb Group. Charles D Taylor collection

"Iowans of the Mighty Eighth", Chapter 22 "Biographies", by Charles D Taylor.

Object Number - UPL 32668 - Arlon Nessa, Aircraft Mechanic, 91st Bomb Group.

Arlon was a crew chief and had three other mechanics assigned to him, responsible for maintenance of one B-17 bomber. While armorers, radio specialists and sheet metal workers performed specific functions on aircraft, Arlon and his crew were responsible for the mechanical operation of their aircraft. They changed engines, tires, and wings, installed fuel tanks and performed pre-flight checks before the aircraft took off for missions. Ground crews worked tirelessly, often through the night, to get their aircraft ready for missions. If and when their aircraft returned from a mission they began their maintenance routine all over again at the end of a long day to get it ready for the next day. Air crews on D-Day flew three missions in support of Allied ground forces. To ground crews it was also their “Longest Day”. Aircraft assigned to him until they were either lost in combat or salvaged, included “Queenie”, “Wee Willie” and “Ack Ack Annie”.

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wee Willie
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31353) nicknamed "Queenie" of the 91st Bomb Group. Image by William D "Bill" Pulliam, 91st Bomb Group. Written on slide casing: '91 BG winter 43, Bassingbourn.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Queenie
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ack-Ack Annie
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description
Hubbard, IA 50122, USA

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

Entry added with details from:
- "Iowans of the Mighty Eighth", Chapter 22 "Biographies", by Charles D Taylor.

Arlon Nessa: Gallery (1 items)