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Source:
www.americanairmuseum.com
Production-block:
B-17G-20-BO: 42-31432 to 42-31631
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 91st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 323rd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: OR-B
MACR: 3221
History of
B-17 42-31585 / Mount N‘ Ride
Delivered Cheyenne 26/11/43; Paine 28/11/43; Gt Falls 5/12/32; Cheyenne 7/12/43; Kearney 16/12/43; Oklahoma City 7/1/44; Kearney 12/1/44; Romulus 17/1/44; Grenier 18/1/44; Assigned 323BS/91BG [OR-B] Bassingbourne 1/2/44; Missing in Action Augsburg 16/3/44 with Doye Bradford, Co-pilot: Bob Mersereau, Navigator: Alby Trendell, Bombardier: Jack Athearn, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Hobart Peterson, Radio Operator: Norman Bunin, Ball turret gunner: Bob Modell, Waist gunner: Lucian Wright, Waist gunner: Nick Merletti,Tail gunner: Malcolm Bradt (10INT); flak KO’d #2 & #3, dropped behind and, force landed Dubendorf, Switz; Missing Air Crew Report 3221. Ret Burtonwood, UK. Salvaged 8/10/45. MOUNT ‘N RIDE.
Last updated: 28. February 2021
B-17 42-31585 / Mount N‘ Ride Details
Aircraft B-17G, 42-31585, at 1155 hours, 4754 N. – 1025 E, 19000 feet, had two (2) engines feathered and fell back out of formation, dropped its bombs and returned to formation. It then fell back out of formation again and turning south headed for Switzerland.
Source: MACR 3221
B-17 42-31585 / Mount N‘ Ride Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Doyle E. Bradford | INT | - |
| CP | 1LT | Robert C. Mersereau | INT | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Albert T. Trendell | INT | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Jack M. Athearn | INT | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Hobart P. Peterson | INT | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Norman H. Bunin | INT | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Robert L. Modell | INT | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Lucian Wright | INT | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Nicholas P. Merletti | INT | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Malcom E. Brandt | INT | - |
14. November 2021 access_time 6:53
The radioman, Norman Bunin, was my 2nd cousin. His father was my maternal G’mas brother. His brother, Irwin, was in the infantry and KIA in Germany after D-Day. Younger brother,Sheldon, now mid 80’s, is still alive (2021) and living in Queens, NY. Knows the story of how they safely fled Switzerland to get back to American lines. Met the pilot when he paid a condolence call after Norman died post war.
23. August 2022 access_time 3:45
My dad, Hobart Peterson, was on this crew. It’s amazing what you can find on the internet. My dad would have loved seeing this!
23. August 2022 access_time 10:32
Thank you! 🙂
02. September 2022 access_time 9:34
I would love to know how they fled Switzerland. Wasn’t It their third attempt? My dad said they were in 13 jails and one prison.
04. September 2024 access_time 23:43
They paid a “guide” to get them over the mts to France. Once there, they got stopped by a British group that thought them German spies dressed as Americans, and consider execution. They offered their fingerprints be taken and fax;d back to HQ in England where they were verified. Once back to HQ, my Cousin, radioman Norman Bunin, was offered a position in a B-24, which he refused. B-17 or nothing. I believe he came back to the states. Since they had successfully avoided capture, they would not have been permitted to go airborne in Europe again anyway. Protocol forbid it , on case they got captured and were tortured to give up the manner they escaped Switzerland… PS: Norman was Jewish; Jews bombing Nazi Germany – Karma and Payback time !!
03. August 2024 access_time 23:16
Hi Paula my great uncle Robert Mersereau was Co pilot, would you have any info / images of him as know very little if his time in service, any info wound be greatly appreciated, thanks Richard
22. September 2022 access_time 23:01
Malcom Brandt, the tail gunner, was my father-in-law.
17. April 2023 access_time 1:25
Norman Bunin was my grandfather. He died before I was born, but my Dad told me stories of him until he passed away in 2001. I wish I had been old enough to understand the magnitude and ask the kinds of questions I would now.
24. February 2024 access_time 18:04
I am a second cousin to Norman.We lived in Jackson Heights,Queens.G’mother a Bunin.Norman used to lift me in the air (Iwas 5 or 6 yo).Where do you live.I am 88-living in WA state.Retired ENT.Remember Sheldon Bunin-my brother was also a Sheldon (deceased)
08. December 2023 access_time 5:05
My father’s cousin was Lucian Wright, engineer on Mount N Ride. I heard a story of the plane landing at an RAF base and the nose art was deemed too risqué, base officials were demanding it be covered up.
27. January 2024 access_time 15:20
My great uncle was Bob Mersereau, would anyone family members of crew members have photos of crew and don’t have any of him whilst serving, would love to hear as my stories also thanks from over the pond in UK
07. June 2024 access_time 22:09
I was researching the nose art of the bomber. I own the original drawing from Alberto Vargas that inspired the art that was done. Does anyone know what happened to the plane? I was uncertain from what I’m finding online.
04. September 2024 access_time 23:49
Suspicious of any plane that sought the safety of Switzerland, HQ planned to inspect every of the interned craft after the war to confirm it was damaged. This one had lost TWO engines and never would have made it back to England w/o being shot down as a cripple !!
05. September 2024 access_time 5:16
I sent this message to Bob Ulrich and hope the pictures post here for all of you to see.
This is the original preliminary sketch I own of the February 1944 Varga Girl from the Esquire magazine that the nose art from the Mount N’ Ride was based on. This sketch that Alberto Vargas did was the guide for his final copy that ultimately was printed in the Esquire Magazine Calendar for 1944. I thought you might enjoy seeing this.
854AA36E-274C-4CFC-BC70-EA1BC8500885_1_201_a.jpeg
And here is the original calendar that the guys on the plane would have seen and used as a guide while painting the nose art.
4624875A-F1F0-4956-9EC6-8DF25279E762_1_201_a.jpeg
Thank you for responding. I appreciate all that the service members did during WW2 and I appreciate you sharing any information about their story with me here.