The Coolest B-17 Guy Ever!!!

[Mgawa]

I can not find in my files, my hard become smaller every day, but I have eillustrate machine with two black 8 ball... any relation with this crew?

[TonyM]

Note the name on the plane..reminds me of a certain Sherman tank commander... 8)

SN

Do you mean the guy from "Kelly's Heroes"?

I think the name was Sgt. Oddball.

TonyM.

[Matt Gunsch]

He looks like Will Farrel,

[muddyboots]

I thought that too.

[Asterperious]

info from the 303 BG website: http://www.303rdbg.com/ground-nose.html

The '8' Ball #41-24581
B-17F 359BS (BN-O)
Assigned: 21 Oct 1942
Fate: C/L 20 Dec 1942
Missions: 5
Ground Crewmen:
Bielski, John M. Jr.
Guthrie, Sidney E. (CC)
Jones, James L.
Nichols, Charles E.
Turner, Duane
Westmorland, Thomas J.
Wilson, James L.
Photos:
Nose Art
Nose Art (color)
Nose Art

Kinda looks like Tommy Lee Jones to me.

[Jack Cook]

Sorry Groundskeeper Willie but that's the wrong a/c.

[Steve Nelson]

Do you mean the guy from "Kelly's Heroes"? I think the name was Sgt. Oddball.

I don't recall if Oddball's rank was ever mentioned in the movie, although he does remark that he hates officers. One of my all-time favorite flicks!

SN

[TonyM]

Do you mean the guy from "Kelly's Heroes"? I think the name was Sgt. Oddball.

I don't recall if Oddball's rank was ever mentioned in the movie, although he does remark that he hates officers. One of my all-time favorite flicks!

SN

Steve,

I have the movie on VHS. I am inspired to watch it this week. Thanks.

TonyM.

[Steve Birdsall]

info from the 303 BG website: http://www.303rdbg.com/ground-nose.html

The '8' Ball #41-24581
B-17F 359BS (BN-O)

Wrong one. This is 41-24635, known as "The 8 Ball, Mark II" although the nose artwork was an exact copy of what had appeared on 41-24581. Flew a total of 47 missions and was flown home in the middle of 1944.

The 303rd Group website has the details of the crew in this photo:

(Back L-R) F/O Harold S. Bolsover (TG), S/Sgt Paul C. Lemann (BTG), 1Lt James S. Nix (CP), Capt Robert J. Yonkman (B), T/Sgt Arnold S. Doran (E), S/Sgt Lloyd L. Jordan (WG)

(Front L-R) S/Sgt Paul P. McGee (R), Capt Joseph M. Strickland (N), Maj William R. Calhoun, Jr. (P), S/Sgt Joseph Kerr (WG)

Co-pilot Nix's comment on the mission is worth repeating: One fighter came barrelling in right through the formation. He wasn't 25 yards from us shooting away. Another blew the tail right off a Fortress in the Group ahead of us. A 'shaky do.'

[lmritger]

I didn't realize Will Ferrell was a B-17 crewman.

EDIT: Beaten like a Panzer division at Kursk...

[PbyCat-Guy]

Would be nice to know if any of these guys are still alive, and wonder if he still has the sweat band.