Warbird Information Exchange

All-

Hoping to identify the bird in this photograph. From what I can make out, it's coded AW-T, which places here with the 337th BS/96th BG, and was most likely taken post-war or near the end of it during Operation: Chowhound operations by the 96th BG. I also believe (and hope others can confirm or deny) that she appears to be carrying an AN/APQ-7 "Eagle" radar.

0568.L.026 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr



I've seen another photo attributed to Roger Freeman that shows a 96th BG B-17 with Eagle Radar as well, but no comments as to which plane she is. The 96th BG can't have that many Eagle Radar aircraft, correct? She can be found here, which says she was transferred out of the 482nd BG after VE-Day:

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/1683


Any help identifying the first aircraft would be much appreciated! Thanks folks

- Dennis S.
Thornton, CO USA

_________________
"We must bond together and fight as brothers or we will all die as fools."

Maybe a match? Quoting Dave Osborne:

Codes aren't listed on it, but he does show all the other three AW-T coded planes to have been lost in combat, the last one (43-37794) on September 19, 1944.

Did what I could enhancing the photo; it's a bit too grainy to verify the serial but it sure looks like a towel bar radar underneath:

_________________

All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

That's as good a guess as any Chris, thank you! I'll see what else I can dig up with that serial.

- Dennis S.
Thornton, CO USA

_________________
"We must bond together and fight as brothers or we will all die as fools."