B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-5251 / Pride of the Kiarians aka Bodacious Critter

History of
B-17 42-5251 / Pride of the Kiarians aka Bodacious Critter

Delivered Cheyenne 18/11/42; West Palm Beach 12/12/42; Assigned 368BS/306BG [BO- ] Thurleigh 1/1/43; damaged 1/3/43 coll with 41-24476; transferred AFSC 3/3/43, ret 9/4/43; Missing in Action Bremen 17/4/43 with Walter N. Smiley, Co-pilot: Avory L. Ewan, Navigator: Wilbur W. Breunig, Bombardier: Martin M. Strauss, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Raymond C. Clifton, Radio Operator: Donald B. Hepler, Ball turret gunner: Roderick C. Clark, Waist gunner: William R. Payne, Waist gunner: Lawrence J. Sliff, Tail gunner: Roy K. Staiff; enemy aircraft, crashed Channel. Missing Air Crew Report 15518. PRIDE OF KARIANS aka BODACIOUS CRITTER.

Last updated: 14. May 2021

B-17 42-5251 / Pride of the Kiarians aka Bodacious Critter Details

Mid-air-collision on training flight with B-17 #41-24476 Adorable – Unbearable on 1 March 1943. Landed at base safely. #42-5251 was lost by flak on mission to Bremen on 17 April 1943.

17 April 1943 – Bremen, Germany.

The aircraft took part in a bombing mission to the Focke Wulf Plant at Bremen, Germany, on 17 April 1943, at which time 10 aircraft were lost. This aircraft is believed to have turned back toward the enemy coast at 54 deg 10 min N 06 deg 40 min E, and is believed to have crashed into the sea.

B-17 42-5251 / Pride of the Kiarians aka Bodacious Critter Crew