Production-block:
B-17G-5-BO: 42-31132 to 42-31231
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 306th Bomb Group
- 447th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 423rd Bomb Squadron
- 708th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: RD-N
MACR: 2353
History of
B-17 42-31145 / Hi Jinx
Delivered Dallas 25/9/43; Harvard 6/10/43; Assigned 423BS/306BG [RD-N] Thurleigh 19/11/43; transferred 708BS/447BG Rattlesden /44; Missing in Action Evreux 6/2/44 with Allen Reed, Co-pilot: Arthur Clark, Navigator: Jim Campbell, Bombardier: Tom Wilkins (4 Killed in Action); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Davidge, Radio Operator: Edmund Harma, Ball turret gunner: Paul Boles, Waist gunner: Jim Alexander, Waist gunner: Ben Denny,Tail gunner: Bob Russ (6 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Wissous, near Paris-Orly, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 2353.
Last updated: 1. January 2021
B-17 42-31145 / Hi Jinx Details
Plane was hit by severe flak bursts just behind cockpit and fire was seen from #3 and #4 engine. One chute was seen. Plane went into steep dive extinguishing flames and leveled off at cloud level below formation. Plane circled once and then followed formation at cloud level for some distance.
Plane was under control when last seen.
B-17 42-31145 / Hi Jinx Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Allen S. Reed | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Arthur L. Clark | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | James A. Campbell | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Thomas G. Wilkins | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | William F. Davidge | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Edmund G. Harma | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Paul G. Boles | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | James W. Alexander | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Benjamin A. Denny | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Robert T. Russ | POW | - |
31. December 2020 access_time 23:10
Hi Jinx did not crash-land near Chaville. It went down in the town of Wissous (next to Paris-Orly.)
2Lt James Campbell was a family member, so am particularly attached to this aircraft. Here is some detailed information on the last fateful flight: http://www.447bg.com/42-31145.htm and also http://www.447bg.com/Reed%20Crew.htm
Hi-Jinx was not their normal aircraft.
01. January 2021 access_time 12:33
Thank you! I have updated that information