Production-block:
B-17G-35-DL: 42-106984 to 42-107233
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 398th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 603rd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: N7-U
History of
B-17 42-107078 / Ole Blood ‘N’ Guts
Delivered Denver 14/2/44; Rapid City 17/2/44; Dow Fd 4/4/44; Assigned 603BS/398BG [N7-U] Nuthampstead 25/4/44; battle damaged Merseburg 21/11/44 with Hyndman; force landed AOC Belgium, 21/11/44. Salvaged ASC 28/11/44; OLE BLOOD-N-GUTS.
Last updated: 19. July 2017
17. July 2022 access_time 2:44
My uncle, Charles Gray, was the flight engineer and top turret crewman on this aircraft. I heard the story about the forced landing many times from him. The aircraft had (3) engines out and couldn’t make the channel. The bombardier was seriously wounded from a 20mm canon hit so the crew opted not to bail out and instead force land. My uncle gathered all of the parachutes from the other crew members and opened them into the nose plexiglass to create a silk cushion for the bombardier when the plane landed. Lt. Hyndman found a small abandoned German observation strip that was really too short for landing but decided it was the best that could be found. Lt. Hyndman did a spectacular job of landing Ol Blood and Guts and everyone got out alright. The crew carried the injured bombardier to the nearby British lines for aid. My uncle received an air medal for his parachute cushion idea and the rest is history.
07. November 2023 access_time 5:08
when I was a little kid my dad use to cut this man yard in east ridge tn. In the basement he had the picture of blood and guts plain and he said he was a gunner on the plane, his name was something morgan, from that day on I’ve fell in love with the b17’s
12. December 2022 access_time 8:51
Hi,
I have a photo of ole Blood “N”Guts after she Belly landed in Belgium. She must of landed in the vincinity of my Home town Maldegem. If someone has more information about the event or the MACR. Please let me know?
Regards,
Beelaert Geert, research B-65 Maldegem, Belgium
16. December 2022 access_time 9:31
Hello Geert,
please sent my a copy of the picture. I would to see it 🙂
my email: info@b17flyingfortress.de
Cheers
Jing
19. January 2023 access_time 22:51
Hi….my father in law served in the RAF during WW2 and was a ground mechanic/aircraftsman. In his photo album there are pictures of ole blood n guts after the landing. He served in France and Belgium. The aircraft appears to have been stripped somewhat but the name is clearly visible on the side. The photo was taken by him and his RAF colleagues are posing for the photos in the plane. Happy to share these images.
Cheers
Barry
15. April 2023 access_time 5:59
Barry-
My grandfather was the radio man on this flight and told me about it a few times. If you still have those pictures I’d love to see them!