Production-block:
B-17G-60-BO: 42-102744 to 42-102978
Manufacturer:
Boeing
History of
B-17 42-102835
Delivered Cheyenne 9/4/44; slated 379BG 10/4/44 PHYLLIS; 488BG MacDill 23/4/44; with Doug Jones force landed 31/7/44 325 BU Avon Park; with Jim Murphy crash landed Avon Park 29/10/44; Recl Comp 22/11/44.
Last updated: 1. June 2020
B-17 42-102835 Crew
Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
P | --- | James C. Murphy | KIS | - |
CP | --- | George P. Gaudet | KIS | - |
NAV | --- | John G. Evernden | KIS | - |
BOMB | --- | Mortimer A. Alnwick | KIS | - |
ENG/TT | --- | Harvey R. Ford | KIS | - |
RO | --- | Salvatore C. Bongiovanni | KIS | - |
WG | --- | Frank W. Bannerman | KIS | - |
WG | --- | George L. Heffington | KIS | - |
TG | --- | Harold H. Barar | RTD | - |
27. January 2023 access_time 7:49
I have a photo that was put together for the families after the crash by tail gunner Barar. I live not 10 miles from the crash site. There is a photo of the aircraft being joined with the tail section of another damaged B-17 that flew through a thunderstorm near Tallahassee and was so severely damaged it’s tail was removed and attached to 102835 forward section. 102835 flew only one test hop before the crew took her out on a training mission. Minutes after takeoff from Avon Park AAF the number 4 engine started an oil fire and burned itself off the wing causing Murphy to lose control and crash into the lake just NW of the base. Only the tail gunner survived. I knew the family of WG George Heffington after his sister came down to see where her brother was stationed and died. George’s brother was severely affected by his deat in the crash.