Production-block:
B-17F-70-BO: 42-29732 to 42-29831
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 381st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 535th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: MS-O
MACR: 473
History of
B-17 42-29789 / Big Time Operator
Delivered Cheyenne 18/2/43; Salina 8/3/43; Pueblo 8/4/43; Smoky Hill 6/5/43; Dow Fd 19/5/43; Presque Is 21/5/43; Assigned 535BS/381BG [MS-O] Ridgewell Stone, Joe Mello, Bill Grayson; Missing in Action 4m Romilly 3/9/43 with Ben Zum, Navigator: John WillisWounded in Action, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bob Italiano, Waist gunner: Frank Crocittio, Waist gunner: Chas Bang,Tail gunner: Ferdinand Christofero (5 Prisoner of War), Co-pilot: Chas Hoover, Radio Operator: Edwin Myers, Ball turret gunner: Floyd Terry (3 evaded capture), Bombardier: Luther Clark (KIA-chute failed); shot down by enemy aircraft crashed Provine, 18 miles W of Romilly, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 473. BIG TIME OPERATOR.25/5/43 with Marvin Lord, George Darrow, Frank Shimek, Tom Hester, Fred Berg, Tom Campbell, Chas Fry, Ken
Last updated: 20. June 2020
B-17 42-29789 / Big Time Operator Details
The only thing that I may offer in connection with 2LT. Luther C. Clark is a statement that was made by the Navigator, 2LT. Willis, to the effect that Lt.Clark bailed out before him and apparently in good condition.
Lt. Willis made this statement shortly after we were taken prisoner – Sept. 3, 1943.
Charles F. Bang
I saw A/C 42-29789 leave formation just west of the target and beeing attacked west viciously by enemy fighters. Crew members on the ship in which I was flying reported seeing chutes appear from A/C believed to be 42-29789.
Elton D. Jukes
1st Lt. Air Corps
Source: MACR 473
B-17 42-29789 / Big Time Operator Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | --- | Benjamin J. Zum | POW | - |
| CP | --- | Charles H. Hoover | EVD | - |
| NAV | --- | John W. Willis, Jr. | POW | - |
| BOMB | --- | Luther C. Clark | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | --- | Robert W. Italiano | POW | - |
| RO | --- | Edwin R. Myers | EVD | - |
| BT | --- | Floyd H. Terry | EVD | - |
| WG | --- | Charles F. Bang | POW | - |
| WG | --- | Frank J. Crocittio | POW | - |
| TG | --- | Ferdinand Christofero | POW | - |
31. January 2021 access_time 0:44
Hello I’m trying to find information on “Everett d. Ede” he was assigned to big time operator. Any help would really be appreciated. Thanks
11. March 2023 access_time 19:01
Hello, maybe try with Big Time Operator served with 452 Bomb Group and destroyed on ground in Ukrain in june 21st 1944 in german air raid strike. Or you have a Big Time Operator II 381 BG-306 SB ( no one onboard called Everest Éden) . 1 B29 BTO in pacific. front.
02. September 2022 access_time 20:21
My father robert Italiano was shot down over Ramilly France 9-3-43. He was a prisoner of war til the war ended. I am trying to get a photo of his plane and crew. I contacted the archives but they sent me pics of a different Big time operator plane. MACR 473 is the number associated with his plane. I recieved copies of reports filled out by each of his crew members. One member of his crew perished when his chute did not open. Any help in getting photos of his plane and crew would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
17. February 2023 access_time 17:53
Hey. My family has saved , lodged and helped one of them to escape from germans and reach Spain to go back to UK. This guy was Floyd H Terry. I wrote the story for a museum located where it happened. I try also to get pic of BTO B-17. I have picture of Floyd with my grand mum in our garden before he left to Paris to be taken in charge by patriots.
17. February 2023 access_time 17:56
If i could have à pic of Robert Italiano please for this muséum.
Thank you.
11. March 2023 access_time 18:49
I can send you a pic of Floyd H Terry who was a crew member of Big Time Operator in September 3rd 1943. Evaded E&E 382 Bruno LARCHER from Paris FR. blotekoife@gmail.com
31. March 2023 access_time 15:49
hello , i am in the village where the b17 crash, la houssaye en brie 77610 ,france, 45 est paris, sept 1943 , i collect many militaria stuff, originally i came from normandy , i meet an old man in the village who give me picture of the b17 , 7years old when b17 crash , this 80 year anniversarry of this ( also my father anniversary ..)
27. September 2023 access_time 3:01
Co-captain Charles Hoover was my great uncle; he married my grandmother’s sister. I never met him because he passed away before ‘78, when I was born. He was taken in by a French family after the plane was shot down, and made it back home to Reno, Nevada. He had one daughter and one grandson. My Dad said he hardly ever spoke about the war at all, and now my Dad has passed, (everyone has :/), and I don’t have any photos of the plane or anything. Any information would be helpful for me, as well! Very grateful for all of the people who protected our soldiers.