Produktionsblock:
B-17F-35-DL: 42-3189 bis 42-3228
Hersteller:
Douglas
- Bomber-Gruppe:
- 381st Bomb Group
- Bomber-Staffel:
- 533rd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: VP-R
Geschichte der
B-17 42-3223 / Red Hot Riding Hood
Delivered Cheyenne 14/4/43; Dow Fd 23/5/4 Assigned 533BS/381BG [VP-R] Ridgewell 2/6/43 with Chas Hedin, Rudi Duncan, Frank Cappel, Dick Hanna, Bob Potts, Vivian Thomas, Stewart McDonald, Cliff Marhefke, Arnold Lorick; en route Amiens 14/7/43 caught fire and blew up over Rattlesden a/fd, Sfk with Chas Hedin, Co-pilot: Bill Burroughs, Ball turret gunner: Stewart McDonald, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Vivian Thomas, Waist gunner: Ed De Cosmo, Waist gunner: Cliff Marhefke (6 Killed in Action), Bombardier: Frank Kappel, Navigator: Don Hamm, Radio Operator: Bob Potts 3wia,Tail gunner: Rich Hanna (4 Returned to Duty). Salvaged. RED HOT RIDING HOOD.
Zuletzt aktualisiert: 11. Februar 2018
20. November 2020 access_time 8:33
My name is Moreland Thomas Miller. My mother’s only brother was Vivian Moreland Thomas. I was born in December of 1943 just months after the Red Hot Riding Hood went down killing 6 crew members. My Grandmother was in contact with the Mother of Stewart McDonald and the family became close friends. Actually I never met “Auntie Flo” the Mother of Stewart McDonald until 1965 when I was stationed at Ft Devens, Mass. It was a great honor for me to meet her and it all brought the families closer together until both of the Mothers passed. Auntie Flo and her husband (I can not recall his name) treated me wonderfully throughout my tour at Ft. Devens.
16. März 2022 access_time 2:10
My grandmother was Florence Howe, Auntie Flo’s niece! Stewart MacDonald (Ball Turret Gunner) was Auntie Flo’s biological son but grew up with Grandma Flo (her cousin) as her brother. Throughout her long life, Flo mourned the loss of “my brother.”
In recent years, I’ve tried to learn as much as I could about the Red Hot Riding Hood and her crew. I sought anyone who might be connected to her loss. I never knew and was thrilled to find that some of her crew survived the crash. Could I contact them? Did they remember Stewart “Buddy” MacDonald. But all survivors of the crash had died in recent years.
I was so shocked to find that the faulty piston that brought down the Red Hot Riding Hood had been kept by the man who investigated the crash and was given to Frank Cappel, one of the survivors, a few years before his death. What had happened to it? I was desperate to know.., not because I wanted it myself, but just to know it was being cared for. I wrote Frank’s son. He said he knew nothing about it.
Now, my heart has leapt once again on seeing your post! Finally, a living connection (however small). And a link to my dear Auntie Flo! I grew up with Auntie Flo and think of her every day.
Thank you!
God Bless!
John Davies