B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-30119 / Hunter’s Answer

History of
B-17 42-30119 / Hunter’s Answer

Delivered Cheyenne 14/4/43; Smoky Hill 22/4/43; Morrison 5/5/43; Warner Robins 10/5/43; Morrison 18/5/43; Assigned 346BS/99BG Navarin 14/6/43; Oudna 4/8/43; Tortorella 11/12/43; Missing in Action Foggia 22/7/43 with Frank Hunter, Dickell, Andrews, Creadon, Morris, Ishum, Smith (8 Killed in Action); Titus, Walker (2 Prisoner of War). Missing Air Crew Report 414. HUNTER’S ANSWER.

Last updated: 14. June 2021

B-17 42-30119 / Hunter’s Answer Details

The B-17 in the picture has the name “Vicky”. In the records unfortunately no serial number for “Vicky” is known. In the tail the numbers 23011? are to be recognized well.

Using the principle of elimination, I conclude that “Vicky” must have serial number #42-30119. Which is also known as “Hunter’s Answer”.

The photos show the last moments of the B-17 #42-30119 “Vicky”.

Statements of eyewitnesses from MACR 414

I was second elemend leader of the formation in which aircraft 42-30119 was flying. We were just coming off of the target and making a turn, we were flying in a javelin-down position down and about half of the element was unsevered. I saw pursuit come in at 11’oclock, about 8 of them, it is my opinion that the aircraft was hit by their attack, causing a fire in number four engine. It appeared to me that the pilot lost control of the aircraft, it rolled over and I could see no doverage on the bottom part of the wing. I was told by a number of my crew that the wing collapsed and hit the tail section causing the aircraft disentegrate. Because of my position I did not see anyone hit the silk.

1Lt. Roger C. Lyon

I was flying as Ball Turret Gunner on aircraft … on July 22, 1943. We had just dropped our bombs and was leaving the target area when I noticed number 4 engine on aircraft number 42-30119 on fire. Apparently the aircraft had been hit by enemy anti-aircraft, causing the fire. Even though the aircraft was burning the pilot remained in position for approximately 2 minutes and then side slipped to the left trying to put out the fire. The right wing section broke off and flew back hitting the tail section, this causing the fuselage to break into. I saw three parachutes. Two were occupied by men of the down aircraft but third was fluttering in the air without an occupent. I watched the two men go down and saw they land on the coast about 15 miles from the target.

S/Sgt. George Leffingwell

B-17 42-30119 / Hunter’s Answer Crew