zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17F-80-BO: 42-29932 to 42-30031
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 303rd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 427th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: GN-I
MACR: 1324
Missions: 24
History of
B-17 42-29955 / Mr Five By Five
Delivered Denver 17/3/43; Smoky Hill 5/4/43; Presque Is 29/4/43; Assigned 427BS/303BG [GN-I] Chelveston 16/5/43; {24m} Missing in Action Bremen 26/11/43 with Capt Addell Cote, Co-pilot: Clarry Bixler, Navigator: Wilbur Barnhill, Bombardier: John Hull{body washed up Terschelling Is, Hol. 13/2/44}, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John Arter, Radio Operator: Vaughn Reaves, Ball turret gunner: Cecil May, Waist gunner: Theo Gomes, Waist gunner: John Micek,Tail gunner: Paul Gunsauls (10KIA rest of crew never found); mech fault, crashed Den Helder, Hol. Missing Air Crew Report 1324. MR FIVE BY FIVE.
Last updated: 11. January 2020
B-17 42-29955 / Mr Five By Five Details
B-17F #42-29955 Mr Five By Five was last seen ten kilometers west of Texel Island over the North Sea when it dropped out of formation with its wheels down on mission to Bremen on 26 November 1943. It apparently was under control at 10,000 feet. No parachutes were observed. Lt. Hull’s body washed up on Terschelling Island, Holland on 13 February, 1944. Rest of crew never found.
In January 2014 a fishing boat from Texel island got stuck on an obstacle on estimated crash position. Parts of a B-17 were in the nets. It is believed the parts can belong to Mr. Five by Five, based on the find-position. Under investigation.
Back row left to right: Wilbur R. Barnhill; John William “Bill” Hull; Alan Eckhart; Addell A. Cote
Front row left to right: Delvyn Smith; unknown; unknown; unknown; unknown; unknown; Vaughn Reaves
B-17 42-29955 / Mr Five By Five Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | CPT | Addell A. Cote | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Clarence C. Bixler | KIA | - |
| NAV | 1LT | Wilbur R. Barnhill | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | John W. Hull | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | John R. Arter | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Vaughn Reaves | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Cecil M. May | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | John M. Micek | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Theodore Gomes | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Paul Gunsauls | KIA | - |
01. June 2019 access_time 0:58
Addell Cote is my grandfather. He was declared MIA 4 weeks before the birth of my mother, Linda Cote. I would love any updates that may arise in this discovery. It has been my life mission to procure anything about Addell that I can, to learn about a person who has had a profound effect on my and my families life.
Thank you for all you do!!
29. July 2019 access_time 1:04
Hello Von Michelle Duarte, I’m reaching out to you today to let you know my fathers uncle was Clarence C Bixler. I know who you are Ive talked to your mother awhile ago, I know Cote had a brother named Alex I do believe that flew Mustangs and was shot down a couple times and if I have the right daughter your a school teacher. This is all by memorie, I just seen your post and wanted to reach out to you to let you know I would like to here from you. I Can tell you everything I know. They believe they found your fathers plane, I just learned they where actually circling trying to find a place to land. Do to there wheels being down I thing they had a mechanical failure and the wheels of the aircraft caught the water causing it to flip pinning your father and my dads uncle in the cripped aircraft. There has been an aircraft found by a fisherman, it’s a B-17 they believe it’s Mr five By five. There have been diving attemps made to retrieve a serial number to verify that it’s there plane. Please call me at 517 673 7535
11. January 2020 access_time 17:06
Addell Cote was my husband’s uncle. His brother Andrew was shot down a couple of times and my husband Leonard say Andrew seldom spoke of his war experience except that a family took him in on one of his escape his time but that a family helped his and he ate raw potatoes in their cellar for a while. There was no Alex in the family. There were three other brothers, Philp, Irving and Lou who also served in WWII. We are so hoping that they will definitely find the plane. I feel like you do that the plane flipped over trapping everyone but the bombadier (sp) who was the only body found. There is a younger brother still living and he hopes that they will locate the plane and those who are still MIA’s before he passes on.
11. January 2020 access_time 17:52
I have added a photo of Mr Five By Five and crew photo with Addell Cote.
07. March 2021 access_time 19:20
Hello. My great uncle was Vaughn Reaves who went MIA in Mr five by five. I have photos of him and his previous plane Vicious Virgin. Also I have photos of the debri that they recently found believed to be the wreckage of Mr. Five by Five. I believe a fishing vessel drug it up. It is part of the wing structure and the fuel bladder. The bladder still has the numbers and markings on it.
08. March 2020 access_time 21:40
Hello there, I have just come from a mountain up in Wales, UK called Arenig Fawr. At the top is a memorial of when a flying fortress crashed into the side of the mountain in 1943 sadly killing all 8 on board. I mention this because along with the memorial is a picture of the crew with their plane, it was called Mr Five by Five but thinking perhaps the wrong picture is up there as the faces dont match or the names? Anyway i took a couple of pictures that you may want but not sure how to send them to you. Thanks. Ed
08. March 2020 access_time 21:56
Hello Edward,
thank you for the message.
You can send the photo to me at: info@b17flyingfortress.de
I will check if I can find some facts about your mentioned B-17 tomorrow.
Cheers
Jing
08. March 2021 access_time 22:43
Hi all – We are working on this as well as my great Uncle, Paul Gunsauls was the tail gunner on this plane. I am hoping to find more information out too. I look forward to “meeting” everyone who had a family member who was a hero on Mr. Five by Five! Carol
12. March 2021 access_time 23:01
Hello. My great uncle, Vaughn Reaves, was the radio operator. I have a few pictures if you’re interested. I also have a few of the wreckage that they believe is Mr. Five by Five. Feel free to message me.
22. December 2023 access_time 2:49
My Great Uncle was John Raymond Arter. This page is absolutely mind blowing. if you have any photos , info , anything please email me . I have a book that John Raymond’s sister noted the dates and target of his 23 missions. I’d be happy to post if that is allowed
02. December 2024 access_time 3:00
Mr.Five by Five info. (photos) would be greatly appreciated. Very interested.
31. January 2024 access_time 15:35
I have a photo of a previous crew, and the aircraft. My uncle Joe was a tail gunner who completed his mission quota. I hadn’t realized until now that the plane eventually went down. 🙁