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Source:
www.91stbombgroup.com
Production-block:
B-17G-30-BO 42-31732 to 42-31931
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 91st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 401st Bomb Squadron
- RCL: LL-Y
MACR: 10304
Missions: 69
History of
B-17 42-31883 / The Jub Jub Bird
Delivered Denver 30/12/43; Casper 4/1/44; Denver 4/2/44; Kearney 12/2/44; Assigned 401BS/91BG [LL-Y] Bassingbourn 22/3/44; Missing in Action 69m Merseburg 2/11/44 with Pilot: Herb Chouinard, Navigator: Dan DuBonis, Bombardier: Jim Hundley, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Luther Salter, Radio Operator: Herschel Bowers, Ball turret gunner: Jim Foltz,Tail gunner: Carroll Tallant (7 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Ray Nickola, Waist gunner: Arnold Kramer (2 Prisoner of War); flak, #2 exploded and nose blew off, ship fell away before exploding and crashed Leipzig; Missing Air Crew Report 10304. THE JUB JUB BIRD.
Last updated: 9. July 2022
B-17 42-31883 / The Jub Jub Bird Details
Aircraft received a direct hit by flak and exploded. Went straight down. No parachutes were observed coming from this Aircraft.
Eyewitness statements to the loss of B-17G #42-31883
We were flying at approximately 27,000 feet altitude, shortly after bombs away. Aircraft B-17G, 42-31883, suffered a direct hit at this time by flak. The shell burst immediately under the pilot’s compartment and the aircraft blew up immediately. The cockpit, sides, and top around the pilot’s position blew out of the ship. There was just one belch of flame and a puff of smoke, presumably it was an oxygen explosion. Subject aircraft passed under us, headed downward in a steep dive. No parachutes were seen to come from this ship.
T/Sgt. Henry N. Haeckl
B-17 42-31883 / The Jub Jub Bird Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Herbert W. Chouinard | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Ray L. Nickola | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Daniel DeBonis | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | James F. Hundley | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | SGT | Luther E. Salter | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Herschel W. Bowers | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | James A. Foltz | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Arnold E. Kramer | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Carrol B. Tallant | KIA | - |
10. August 2017 access_time 3:53
My father-in-law was Harry Lane left waist gunner, Not sure of dates
02. May 2022 access_time 23:08
My grandfather!
10. August 2020 access_time 16:38
Crashed near village of Priester, north of Leipzig. There’s a memorial plaque inside the church of Priester for The Jub Jub Bird & Crew.
10. August 2020 access_time 17:32
Wirklich? Priester ist nicht weit weg von hier. Ich sollte mal hierfahren, wenn Corona vorbei ist.
22. September 2021 access_time 20:38
Emil J Viskocil flew a majority of his missions on this plane as the Flight Engineer/Top Turret
30. December 2021 access_time 8:27
My Grandfather Don C. Henson flew on the JubJub Bird at one time as the top turret gunner / flight engineer. I can only find a few black and white pictures of the plane on Google. I’d be interesting if anyone had a color picture of the nose art – as well as an idea what the tail markings letters/colors would be.