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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17F-25-BO: 41-24540 to 41-24584
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 303rd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 358th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: VK-D
Missions: 48
History of
B-17 41-24577 / Hell’s Angels
B-17F 41-24577 “Hells Angels” was assigned to 358BS/303BG [VK-D] Bangor 14-Oct-42; arrived at Molesworth 24-Oct-42; in landing accident with Irl E. Baldwin 26-Apr-43; slated to RAF 100 Squadron, but retained by 803rd BS ATD (American Training Detachment) before completing 48 missions without an abort or any crewman injured. Returned to the USA at Newark, New Jersey on 10 February 1944 for War Bond tour. 41-24577 was the first aircraft to complete 25 missions in the UK, earlier than the much more publicized “Memphis Belle” reached the same status. Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Searcey Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma on 7 August 1945. “HELL’S ANGELS”.
Last updated: 18. September 2018
B-17 41-24577 / Hell’s Angels Details
First B-17 to complete 25 missions in the UK. Earlier than the Memphis Belle. Complete 48 mission without an abort or any crewman injured. Than returned to the US and scraped in 1945.
![By United States Army Air Forces [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://b17flyingfortress.de/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Boeing_B-17F-25-BO_Fortress_41-24577_Hells_Angels.jpg)
11. November 2020 access_time 1:28
The first picture shows the second crew to fly Hell’s Angels. The plane needed maintenance so they took out Augerhead in August 1943. It was shot down in France. One crewmember was dead when his parachute landed, a victim of German fighters. Three, including my father, evaded capture with the assistance of the Comet Line. The remainder became POW’s. The second picture actually shows the third crew of Hell’s Angels.