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:








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.
_________________

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)