Warbird Information Exchange

Pandora's box is an artifact in Greek mythology connected with the myth of Pandora in Hesiod's Works and Days. In modern times an idiom has grown from it meaning "Any source of great and unexpected troubles", or alternatively "A present which seems valuable but which in reality is a curse".

Below is a series of photos from the Jim McLeod collection showing the aftermath of an explosive accident which occurred on a hardstand of the 710th BS area, 21st February 1945. At 04.00hrs when B-17 42-97819 jumped its chocks while having an engine test by it's crew chief Curtis Crossman and crashed into a 4000 gallon fuel truck causing a fire and then explosion. Flying incendiaries caused B-17 42-107003 'Bouncin Baby' (90 missions) to catch fire & explode. B-17 42-97826 'Big Shorty' was also destroyed by fire. 6 other aircraft were damaged, 3 of which were written off. Two firemen were injured but amazingly there wasn’t any loss of life. Mechanic Jim McCleod said when they realized the severity of what was about to happen, they ran away so fast across a neighboring field, they left no footprints in the soil! The mission for the day was scrubbed.

Ironically below B-17 42-107117 ‘Pandora’s Box’ of the 447th BG was destroyed by the concussion from the blast.

_________________
[Thread title is ridiculous btw]

Incredible!

wow...

Where was this ?

Phil

_________________
A man's got to know his limitations.

_________________
[Thread title is ridiculous btw]

German ace in a day?

I've seen a B-17 subjected to a nuclear blast that came away in better shape. That must have been one hell of a bang!

_________________
Defending Stearmans on WIX since Jeff started badmouthing them back in 2005.

I understand similar explosions ocured, IIRC an entire RAF ammo dump also exploded....my main reaction is...given the number of units, bases, missions and ordnance expended, it's a wonder it didn't happen more frequently than it did.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

The Army does not, nor has it ever, condoned carelessness of any kind in any job. The crew that was responsible for the series of mistakes pictured here most certainly did not "have a laugh about it" with the base brass.