Production-block:
B-17G-80-BO: 43-38074 to 43-38273
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 487th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 836th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: 2G-G
MACR: 9423
History of
B-17 43-38154 / Heavenly Body
Delivered Cheyenne 30/6/44; Kearney 11/7/44; Grenier 15/7/44; Assigned 836BS/487BG [2G-G] Lavenham 18/7/44; Missing in Action Beilefeld, Ger 30/9/44 with Harry Oesch, Co-pilot: Wilburn Furr, Navigator: Henry Miller, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Milo Volavka, Radio Operator: Martin Stanley, Ball turret gunner: Hudie Graves, Waist gunner: Bill Focht,Tail gunner: Willard Green (8 Killed in Action); Bombardier: Viltold Zalneraitis (Prisoner of War); mid air coll with 43-38037 (487BG), crashed Leopoldshohe-Kentrup, E of Bielefeld, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 9423.
Last updated: 3. October 2017
B-17 43-38154 / Heavenly Body Details
Mid-air collision with B-17 #43-38037 ‘Liberty Belle’ on 30/09/1944.
When in sharp turn in heavy contrails B-17 #43-38037 was caught in prop wash (presumed), went over on its back and collided with #43-38154 of same squadron. Right wing (of #37) and left wing of #154 came off and both aircraft spun down
29. May 2018 access_time 20:33
Can someone help my indentify a WW2 bomber
It seems to be a B17 called Heavenly Body but the nose art is a lady seated with her back to audience and a dark blue sky around her with stars
All other Heavenly Body nose art has the lady flying on all B17 or B25 that I have found by google the last two days can you help ?
30. May 2018 access_time 21:29
Where can I see the image?
16. December 2023 access_time 14:26
I have seen the picture he is referring too of the nose art. There is also a haunting picture that has both planes that collided in the same shot. I will attempt to find them for you.
12. June 2018 access_time 20:05
Whats the registration number?
12. June 2018 access_time 20:04
Hi, Could some body help me with some information about the 7th Son, 339 BS/96th BG. I already have the IDPF and some mission Qestionaires. The crash date was 12th of May 1944. I would like have some pictures of the plane.
thank you already,
Ralph
12. June 2018 access_time 20:16
Hi Ralph, I published the B-17 ‘7th Son’ to the database:
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-107189-7th-son/
I could not found photos.
22. February 2024 access_time 5:21
Anyone have any additional information regarding the 7th Son, Walter Keshel was a relative of mine and would like anything regarding the crash site or radio communications. Thanks Randy
16. December 2023 access_time 14:50
here is the picture of this plane’s nose art as well as the picture of both planes together. Liberty Belle’ is in the foreground. Heavenly Body’s tail number: 43-38154 is clearly visible in the background.
http://www.487thbg.org/Photos/HeavenlyBody.shtml
http://www.487thbg.org/Photos/LibertyBelle2-full.jpg