B-17E, s/n 41-9100, "Birmingham Blitzkrieg", 525th Bombardment Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group, England, 7 September 1943.
This aircraft flew its first mission on 17 August 1942 with the 97th Bombardment Group, later transferred to the 92nd Bombardment Group, finally transferred to the 379th Bombardment group where it acted as a formation aircraft
Identified in this photo is Col. Preston, CO of the 379th Bombardment Group on the left
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B-17E, s/n 41-9100 in its new role as formation aircraft with the 379th Bombardment Group, England, 24 July 1944
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Another view of B-17E 41-9100 on 24 July 1944. In the role of formation aircraft it was painted in red and white stripes
Out of the 500+ Airmen I have spoken to none remembered a red and white Aircraft at Kimbolton and only one said he remembered her but said it was like a Green and White Barber's Pole. Only two said they remember it being used to form up on during formation practice. No one remembered it as an assembly ship. Most of the Vets said they assembled on a Lead Ship using flares and light signals from the Lead Ship's Tail Gun position.
ReplyDeleteI have also spoken to Children from that area and time frame and they all have concurred that this ship was OD Green and White.