Warbird Information Exchange

An interesting B-17 photo has been posted on eBay (second of two the seller had). It is a B-17F-20-VE, 42-5771, with tail code EL. It would appear to be a late war or post war shot with a civilian woman in the foreground, at possibly a civilian field. Previous markings on the tail appear painted over.

See at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-B-17-Bomber-Fl ... dZViewItem

WWII B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress Airplane Photo mystery Item number: 6596238622

I have interest in the airplane as sister ship 42-5772 served with my Dad’s unit in North Africa and Italy, the 301st BG (where it flew with the 352nd BS). My Dad was in the 419th BS which included these three near-kin Vega-built B-17F’s among others:

42-5727 B-17F-10-VE “Elaine”
42-5781 B-17F-20-VE
42-5870 B-17F-30-VE “May-B Bay-B”

42-5771 apparently never saw overseas duty or combat, but some questions come to mind:

THE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS STORY by Roger A. Freeman says it was finally a “ferry aircraft for University of Dakota” on May 20, 1946. I guess we might assume North Dakota.

What would The University of North Dakota use a B-17 for as a ferry aircraft?

If they did indeed use one, would it retain military markings or have civilian registration? I have Scott Thompson’s first edition of the book FINAL CUT but it doesn’t mention 42-5771 as a civil operated B-17.

What did the code EL stand for? Kelly Field maybe? It was stationed there in May 1945.

Where was the photo taken? Any ideas? It was purchased in a lot by the seller (I bought a similar pose of the rare ship last week) at Miles City, Montana. Could this photo be at Frank Wiley Field, which is NW of Miles City? Was Frank Wiley a military base at all?

Any guesses on the old tail markings that are painted over/faded out?

Thanks,

Lowell
Kellogg, Idaho

Hey Lowell,

My guess, which is just a guess but based on some research in progress, was that it was ferried *to* the University of North Dakota and not ferried *for* them (or the record card indictaes it was ferried for them by some third party) because UND purchased it under the RFA/WAA Educational Aircraft Disposal program. I don't think they would have had a civil registration because if it was a WAA purchase those planes were not supposed to be flown again.

I would think you have a couple of alternative locations for the photo
(1) One of the RFC disposal lots like Altus or Stillwater - unlikely - too much empty space.
(2) 3028 BU Luke Field - last known location but the civilian woman in the photo makes this unlikely
(3) Somewhere in North Dakota after delivery.
(4) Somewhere between any of these
(4) None of the above

I have no idea about the markings. Look at bdk's shot of a B-17G in Illinois (look for the "Town Bomber" thread - this is my pet research project) which has some alphanumeric codes on the fin - this machine seems to have been a trainer statside too. I've never understood the significance of the tail codes used in the ZI.

Thanks for pointing this item out.

Rob / Kansan

Rob/KANSAN, I have PM's you.

Some archive posts on armyairforces.com now have me curious if the eBay B-17F photo could be the mysterious "PREGNANT SWAN" ???

Go to:

http://www.armyairforces.com/forum/m_88598/tm.htm

Hard to say - I'm not saying it isn't the case - there simply isn't the evidence one way or another - yet!

Rob / Kansan