Warbird Information Exchange

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on this site are the responsibility of the poster and do not reflect the views of the management.
It is currently Fri May 09, 2025 2:02 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Classic Wings Magazine WWII Naval Aviation Research Pacific Luftwaffe Resource Center
When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 5:04 am 
Offline
3000+ Post Club
3000+ Post Club
User avatar

Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 2:02 am
Posts: 4695
Location: Yucca Valley, CA
I was going through my .doc file copy of David Osborne's book B-17 FORTRESS MASTER LOG and noticed this listing for the first B-17C built:
David Osborne wrote:
RB-17C
40-2042 Del Air Force 21/7/40, the first such service flight, but then sent back to Boeing for two years, before returning to AF. Del Lockbourn(e), OH, then on 25/1/43 cr NW of New Albany, OR., w/Jack Pack (KIS-crew?). WO 29/1/43.

I did some searching on the Newspapers site and came up with more info about the accident; note New Albany is in Ohio, not Oregon:
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

I updated my copy of the document and did the same for the American Air Museum site as well:

Quote:
RB-17C
40-2042
Del Air Force 21/7/40, the first such service flight, but then sent back to Boeing for two years, before returning to AF. Del Lockbourn, OH, then on 25/1/43 exploded mid-air and cr on farm near New Albany, OH, w/Jack Pack, cp-Capt. Robert Cooley, 1Lt. George Stobridge, SSgt. Chester B. Fudge, Cpl. Richard J. Klaetsch, Pvt. Salvatore B. Curcio, Pvt. Christian Mauthe, Sgt. Walter F. Baran, Pfc. Gordon D. Rutters, SSgt. John A. Swataka, Pvt. George A. Box, Sgt. James H. Foldesi (who survived crash but died next day) (12 KIS). WO 29/1/43.


Does anyone have the final accident report, and was a cause of the explosion found? I've posted about this on Aerovintage and Wreckchasing as well.

_________________
Image
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)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 5:49 am 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!

Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2014 4:19 pm
Posts: 1576
I'd suggest contacting AAIR: a request fro just the findings will be less than you'd pay for the full report.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 4:33 pm 
Offline
2000+ Post Club
2000+ Post Club

Joined: Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm
Posts: 2628
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archi ... ft/40-2042

Image

_________________
45-47=-2


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 8:12 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:04 am
Posts: 452
Location: Columbus OH
Very grateful for sharing...this crash occurred just up the road from where I live.

While stopping in at Eagles Pizza in New Albany I picked up a copy of the New Albany Historical Society newsletter where Dennis its president gave a presentation on this crash. He has a desire to raise funds for a monument there where a new housing development is in place.

Link to the Historical Society is here >>>> https://newalbanyhistory.info/

You can see more about the presentation in their Facebook site >>>> https://www.facebook.com/NAPTHS/

If anyone is interested I have Dennis's email...he is quite the collector of aircraft items as well.

It makes me sad that this aircraft was so far off course from Rickenbacker when it crashed...if only back in the air they had even half of the nav aids we have today... :(

_________________
Rauhbatz
Commemorative Air Force
CAF Ohio Wing/Airbase Georgia Member
PT-19/26, T-34 CAF Pilot


Favorite quote from Wind, Sand & Stars - A. St. Exupuery "friends are like trees...when they are gone we miss their shade"


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 10:28 pm 
Offline
Long Time Member
Long Time Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:27 am
Posts: 5595
Location: Eastern Washington
The pilot's wife died in 1984 at 67. No record of her getting remarried.
His son, born in 1941, is listed as deceased.


There are a lot of Dr. John C. Packs in Utah. His father was born in 1892 and died in 1950. His mother, Bertha, lived 1894-1957.
An older sister, born in 1918, died in 2000.
Another older sister, was born in 1916...I could not find a date of death, but she was married 1938.

If one belongs to an online genealogy site, I'm sure you could find out more about all the crew.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], Vital Spark and 301 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group