Production-block:
Boeing B-17E: 41-2393 to 41-2669
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 11th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 42nd Bomb Squadron
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History of
B-17 41-2445 / So Solly Pleese
Delivered Sacramento 3/12/41; Assigned 42BS/11BG Hickam 22/7/42; smashed tail off in taxi accident 9/12/42; Written off 15/6/44. SO SOLLY PLEASE.
Last updated: 9. June 2017
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02. January 2024 access_time 6:33
Interesting story about B-17E 41-2445. On December 09, 1942, while staging out of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, she suffered a taxi accident that – according to the 42nd record – knocked off her tail turret. My father Jack D. Springer served proudly with the 42nd BS from January 1942 (Hickam) until April 1943 (Guadalcanal). Dad told me about this event (when describing the inexperienced and utter stupidity seen, early in the war). After that day’s recon mission, the crew wrote up several “diagonal” discrepancies in the aircraft forms. Either before or after maintenance was performed — dad didn’t say — the aircraft’s dispersal position was changed. The aircraft crew chief was tasked with parking the aircraft in its dispersal area. Because of the lack of towing assets, crew chiefs were allowed to taxi the Forts during that period, using Number 1 and Number 4 outboard engines. As the crew chief approached the designated spot, the crew chief slammed on one main gear brake and revved up the opposite outboard engine. This time, however, the rapid swing of the tail bent the stabilizer, wrecking the tail gunner’s position, and wrenched and twisted the fuselage aft of the waist-windows, which put an end to her once gallant record – for once and for all.