B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 44-8031

History of
B-17 44-8031

Delivered Tulsa 18/5/44; Dallas 13/6/44; Langley 2/7/44; Dow Fd 25/7/44; Assigned as SH aircraft 447BS Rattlesden 28/7/44; transferred 601BS/398BG [3O-K] Nuthampstead 16/8/44; on pathfinder a/c, Lt Tom Bowles was visual navigator (Killed in Action); a smoke marker ignited soon after take off, and five bailed out when things began popping inside, but limped home OK; repaired and transferred 603BS [N7-Z]; re-classified as standard B-17G after modification at 2 SAD Abbotts Ripton 26/2/45; RAF Valley 1/6/45; Returned to the USA Bradley 4/6/45; Sth Plains 8/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 17/12/45.

Last updated: 11. February 2018