Production-block:
B-17G-20-BO: 42-31432 to 42-31631
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 303rd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 427th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: GN-U
MACR: 5019 & 15582
History of
B-17 42-31616 / The Spirit of Flak Wolf
Delivered Cheyenne 27/11/43; Grand Island 5/12/43; Presque Is 17/12/43; Assigned 427BS/303BG [GN-U] Molesworth 14/1/4; crashed on take off Winwick, Huntingdonshire, 9/4/44, with John McGarry, Co-pilot: Willie Cotham, Navigator: Bob Halligan, Bombardier: Ken Foe, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Henry Grace, Radio Operator: Steve Stuphar (6 Killed in Service); Ball turret gunner: Ira Friedman, Waist gunner: Ervin Hilborn, Waist gunner: Mike Vargas,Tail gunner: Walt Kowalonek (4 inj, but later Returned to Duty); Salvaged 11/4/44, after burnt out and causing damage in the village. (Back in April 2010 the #2 engine throttle handle was found at crash site by a man with metal detector, and subsequent research put him in touch with pilot’s family to hand over the memento). Missing Air Crew Report 5019 & Missing Air Crew Report 15582. THE SPIRIT OF FLAK WOLF.
Last updated: 14. September 2017
03. October 2024 access_time 1:07
The navigator, 1Lt. Robert W. Halligan, was friends with my 1st cousin, once removed 2Lt. Jerome “Jerry” Hanson. They were in navigator training together. After Hanson was MIA/KIA on December 16, 1943, Halligan wrote a letter of condolence to his mother that our family has.