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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-5-VE: 42-39858 to 42-39957
Manufacturer:
Lockheed/Vega
- Bomb Group:
- 401st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 615th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: IY-Q
MACR: 7824
History of
B-17 42-39873 / Stormy Weather
Delivered Long Beach 26/9/43; Harvard 8/10/43; Scott 22/10/43; Assigned 615BS/401BG [IY-Q] Deenethorpe 26/10/43; Missing in Action Orleans 1/8/44 with Gerard Melofchick, Co-pilot: Jim Pratt, Navigator: Dick Tyson, Bombardier: Hughlon Grisham, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Herb Pressman, Radio Operator: Leland Tracy, Ball turret gunner: Lyle Wheaton (7 Killed in Action); Waist gunner: Harry Mapes,Tail gunner: Jim Bosarth (2 Prisoner of War); flak & mid-air coll with 43-37859 (401BG), crashed Le Cros, N of Chartres, Fr; Missing Air Crew Report 7824. STORMY WEATHER.
Last updated: 28. September 2025
B-17 42-39873 / Stormy Weather Details
Was hit by flak and than mid-air-collision with B-17 #43-37859 ‘Jeanne’.
Ship 873 was hit by flak over target. Was a bit higher than wing ship. It pulled out to the left and hit aircraft 859. Tail section came off and it went into a spin. It then leveled off for a shot time and then disappeared. Altitude was 24500 feet when hit.
Source: MACR 7824
B-17 42-39873 / Stormy Weather Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Gerard J. Melofchik | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | James E. Pratt | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Richard C. Tyson | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Hughlon K. Grisham | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Herbert Pressman | KIA | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Leland B. Tracy | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | Lyle P. Wheaton | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Harold E. Mapes | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | James W. Bozarth | POW | - |
28. September 2025 access_time 18:21
1st Lt. Melofchik’s first name is GERARD and not Gerald. Thank you.