Need some B-17 help- S/N 42-97506

[bdsmith337]

I'm still somewhat new to the forum so I'm hoping someone can help me.
I'm trying to help a co-worker find info on a family member shot down B-17, possibly S/N 42-97506 lost in January of 1945 and became a POW for the remainder of the war. Our particular crew member was Virgil Linn. If anyone has any aircraft pics or more info on the aircraft loss, that would very helpful. I couldn't find anything and we're not 100% on the aircraft S/N
Thanks guys!

[Pathfinder]

42-97506 (B-17G) Nose art name "Thunderbird"
385th Bomb Group, 550th Bomb Squadron
Date of Loss: 29JAN44 (not 45)

All crew POW

Pilot name 1Lt Robert L. Bostick

SSgt Virgil L. Linn listed as Right Waist Gunner. His mother is listed as NOK and resided in Logan, Ohio

Missing Air Crew Report #2269

Initially held at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow (formerly Heydekrug) Pomerania, Prussia (moved to Wobbelin Bei Ludwigslust) (To Usedom Bei Savenmunde) 54-16 (These last numbers are very rough lat/lon coordinates)

See: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/108063051/T ... Hermeskeil

[bdsmith337]

Thank you! That helps alot!

[bdsmith337]

I was finally able to open the link, that helps so much, thanks again!

[Pathfinder]

The MACR is available at Fold3.com

[m linn 537]

I saw your post about Virgil Linn who was shot down over Germany in WW ll. I am his daughter and would love to know what family member is looking for information. Although my daddy didn't talk much about his time in the war and being held POW I would like to hear from you. I do have a picture with his crew taken in front of the Furlough Myrtle. My understanding is that the Furlough Myrtle wasn't his plane; they just took the picture in front of it.

He was shot down 29 Jan. 1944. The serial number of the B-17-G aircraft was 42-9706.

m linn 537

[Mark Allen M]

B-17G 42-97506 was also named "Picadilly Queen"

B-17G 42-97506 n/a 385BG 550BS 2269 "Thunderbird" (Picadilly Queen)
42-97506 Delivered: Denver 4/12/43; Kearney 16/12/43; Presque Is 23/12/43; Assigned: 550BS/385BG [SG- ] Gt Ashfield 25/12/43; MIA Frankfurt 29/1/44 Pilot: Bob Bostwick, Co-Pilot: Carlton Grissom, Navigator: Jim Stephenson, Bombardier: Tom Arthur, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Bob Ulsh, Radio Operator: Chas Dierks, Ball Turret Gunner: Norman Lubinsky, Waist Gunner: George DeFilippi, Waist Gunner: Virgil Linn, Tail Gunner: Park Campbell (10POW); Enemy aircraft, crashed Gonnesweiler, N of St Wendel, Germany. MACR 2269.

Much more here:

http://www.flugzeugabstuerze-saarland.d ... eil_en.pdf
http://www.385thbga.com/b-17/
http://www.385thbga.com/database/
http://www.8thafhs.com/db/get_mia_aircr ... 1944-01-29
http://www.8thafhs.com/db/get_one_missi ... ion_id=641

[bdsmith337]

Mrs linn,
I gave all the info I found already to your daughter, she was asking and should be passing it along.

[m linn 537]

She has sent me your email. Thank you so much for the information you found.

M. Linn

[CoastieJohn]

I like reading threads like this!!!

[Mark Allen M]

I like reading threads like this!!!

+1 as it's all about the vets and their family. Bless them all.

I actually found a couple of very grainy (poor quality) photos of B-17G 42-97506 "Thunderbird" ... I'll see if I can clean them up a bit.

[mike furline]

B-17G 42-97506 was also named "Picadilly Queen"

B-17G 42-97506 n/a 385BG 550BS 2269 "Thunderbird" (Picadilly Queen)
42-97506 Delivered: Denver 4/12/43; Kearney 16/12/43; Presque Is 23/12/43; Assigned: 550BS/385BG [SG- ] Gt Ashfield 25/12/43; MIA Frankfurt 29/1/44 Pilot: Bob Bostwick, Co-Pilot: Carlton Grissom, Navigator: Jim Stephenson, Bombardier: Tom Arthur, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Bob Ulsh, Radio Operator: Chas Dierks, Ball Turret Gunner: Norman Lubinsky, Waist Gunner: George DeFilippi, Waist Gunner: Virgil Linn, Tail Gunner: Park Campbell (10POW); Enemy aircraft, crashed Gonnesweiler, N of St Wendel, Germany. MACR 2269.

Much more here:

http://www.flugzeugabstuerze-saarland.d ... eil_en.pdf
http://www.385thbga.com/b-17/
http://www.385thbga.com/database/
http://www.8thafhs.com/db/get_mia_aircr ... 1944-01-29
http://www.8thafhs.com/db/get_one_missi ... ion_id=641

I wonder if there is any confusion with s/n's & names with B-17F 42-30251 Piccadilly Queen also being shot down on Jan. 29, 1944?
Two Piccadilly Queens in same B.G., the B-17G is renamed to Thunderbird, then both a/c shot down on same mission?

http://www.b17warhorse.fws1.com/photo3.html

[Mark Allen M]

Not unusual for an airplane to be named one name and then changed to another name, then another plane being named the same name as the first one's original name. Even in the same BS. Get that?

42- 30251 Piccadilly Queen 19 6 43 2 11 43 MAC W/G 2267 42-97506 was also Picadilly Queen. On the list on the link below it is stated somewhat vague so one has to wonder, but the way I read it, it sounds like perhaps the original "Picadilly Queen" was renamed "Thunderbird" and another B-17 named "Picadilly Queen"
http://www.385thbga.com/b-17/

Very unfortunate and tragic that both B-17's were shot down on the same mission if that is indeed the case here.