| Allgemein | |
|---|---|
| Hersteller: | Lockheed/Vega |
| Produktionsblock: | , B-17G-1-VE: 42-39758 bis 42-39857 |
| Einsatzgeschichte | |
|---|---|
| Bomber-Gruppe: | , 379th Bomb Group |
| Bomber-Staffel: | , 524th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | WA-B |
| MACR | 5320 |
| Schicksal: |
, Abschuss durch Feindflugzeug (24 Mai 1944) |
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Geschichte der
B-17 42-39828 / Penny Ante
Delivered Long Beach 12/9/43; Gr Island 1/10/43; ass 524BS/379BG [WA-B] Kimbolton 19/11/43; MIA Berlin 24/5/44 Pilot: Theo Kunda, Co-Pilot: Bob Burton, Navigator: Marvin Swift, Bombardier: Howard Evans, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Roy Pook, Ball Turret Gunner: Tony Tomaselli (6POW); Radio Operator: Leon Flatt, Waist Gunner: George Taylor, Tail Gunner: Russell Vinson (3KIA); Enemy aircraft, crashed on farm at Finow, eight miles SW of Eberswalde, Germany. MACR 5320.
Informationen können Korrekturen und Ergänzungen auf Grundlage von Jings Recherchen enthalten.
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Diese Seite wurde zuletzt am 27. November 2018 aktualisiert
10. November 2023 access_time 4:13
My grandfather did 28 combat missions on this plane. James E Williams 1923-2003
30. Mai 2024 access_time 3:19
My uncle Leonard Flatt was the Radio Operator on this aircraft. I have been doing research lately trying to find all information I can. I do not think it is possible to find any survivors, would be nice to find family members who might have photos.
28. September 2025 access_time 5:33
Hi Rick, I recently visited this crash site and have some info to share if you’re interested. email me at: carlysmith.mail@gmail.com
Hope to hear from you!
01. Oktober 2025 access_time 20:06
Yes I would be interested in any information you have
09. September 2024 access_time 18:26
There is an excellent book “Return To Base” written by Jesse Pitts who was co-pilot of Penny Ante on his 25 mission tour, starting on Dec 11, 1943 and finishing on March 9, 1944 (attack on Berlin). He and his fellow crew members rated the aircraft highly and before every mission the crew chief gave the pilot, Hershel Streit, a penny, asking him to return it after every mission – a kind of lucky charm. After every mission, the penny was returned to the crew chief. Streit called the B-17 Penny Ante after the game of poker.
In his book, Jesse Pitts, records that on its 16th mission with its new crew on May 24th 1944 the aircraft was hit in a fighter attack after bombs away. He also writes “It is said that the crew had not continued the custom of taking the penny and returning it.”
It’s a book worth reading, quite introspective and thought provoking and a different take on combat flying on B-17s to many others I have read. It is published by Howell Press, Inc of Charlottesville, VA. I hope this might be of interest.