Warbird Information Exchange

Guys and Gals I need your help! I was talking with a women I work with today who happened to mention that her Grandfather had been shot down in a B-17 on his second mission during WWII. She said he had been the bombarder on the "Wicked WAAC" and spent most of the war as a POW. She said that he had passed away years ago and only knew bits and pieces. She also said that she would really love to she what the nose art of the "Wicked WAAC" looked like?

Well, I've put together some info for her on her Grandfather, 2nd Lt. Leland Dowden who was the Bombarder on B-17F, 42-30199 "Wicked WAAC" of the 306th BG when it was shot down by fighters over Frankfurt on 14 Oct 1943. There is also a book written recounting the events that I am going to turn her on to.

What I really need is a photograph of he nose art of the "Wicked WAAC" I could give her. She said to she has tried to look for it in the past and has come up empty. She's the kind of girl that enjoys a tattoo or two or three and would like her Grandfathers nose art to be her next.

It is said to be a pin-up riding a bomb?

_________________
Ken Terpstra

Vice-President
Stockton Field Aviation Museum
PV-2D Harpoon 84062

If she had art on the co-pilot side you might be in luck.....a pic sold on Ebay back in May....middle pic left side.

Found it by changing the name to Wicked WAC....right or wrong it worked...noted as mia 14/10 43...

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/8 ... -275268184

Saw the recent post on this plane at AAF.com extending back over two years....

Good luck...

EDIT NOTE: The seller says it is a "copied photo" from his collection so that means he still has the originals!?!?!?

http://www.100thbg.com/mainpages/crews/ ... cktoff.htm

This is the Wicked WAAC In this picture my father Clifford M. Spencer is shown a co pilot. They were shot down though in "War Eagle" 42-30154
in October 1943 and the crew remained POW's until the end of WW2 I have a copy of the original, but the quality of the photo is not much better than this picture.

Island-tyme, thank you so much! That is great, I'll make sure she gets it! She will be very happy!

_________________
Ken Terpstra

Vice-President
Stockton Field Aviation Museum
PV-2D Harpoon 84062

I am in contact with the daughter of the Pilot, Capt George Bettinger, who is desperately looking for a picture of the "Wicked WAAC". Is it possible to get a copy of this plane from you?

Kduggin@sbcglobal.net