Production-block:
B-17G-30-BO 42-31732 to 42-31931
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 92nd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 407th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: PY-T
History of
B-17 42-31783 / Ready Teddy II
Delivered Denver 19/12/43; Kearney 31/12/43; Assigned 407BS/92BG [PY-T] Podington 5/2/44; Missing in Action Misburg 9/9/44 with Joe Navarra, Co-pilot: Ray Weis, Navigator: Stadley Straus, Bombardier: Bob McNeary, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ray Sprowls, Radio Operator: Angelo Galatis; Ball turret gunner: Merl Brown Stitt, Waist gunner: Ed Madigan, Tail gunner: Noah Tuttle (9 evaded capture via French Underground & ret UK); force landed France; Salvaged 29/11/44. READY TEDDY II.
Last updated: 19. September 2021
B-17 42-31783 / Ready Teddy II Details
B-17G #42-31783 / Ready Teddy II was damaged by flak.
“Three engines out. No #1 on fire, No #3 feathered, No #4 wind-milling. Many holes in plane”
Angelo P. Galatis
Based of E & E Report #240 Angelo P. Galatis also evaded captured and wasn’t KIA.
B-17 42-31783 / Ready Teddy II Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Joseph W. Navarre | EVD | - |
| CP | F/O | Raymond C. Weis | EVD | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Stanley R. Straus | EVD | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Robert K. MacNeary | EVD | - |
| ENG/TT | SGT | Raymond T. Sprowls | EVD | - |
| RO | SGT | Angelo P. Galatis | EVD | - |
| BT | SGT | Merl Brown Stitt | EVD | - |
| WG | CPL | Noah G. Tuttle | EVD | - |
| TG | SGT | Edward R. Madigan | EVD | - |
18. September 2021 access_time 22:05
Greetings. Your Ball Turrent Gunners name is incorrect. The correct name is Merl Brown Stitt, my grandfather. His flight jacket has been rocovered from the flight. He also did the Jacket and nose art for the crews. He was a native of Indianola Iowa and his father was a commercial artist in Des Moines Iowa.
19. September 2021 access_time 9:23
Hello Larry,
thank you for that information.
I have updated the name of you grandfather.
04. February 2024 access_time 5:15
my grandfather was Raymond Charles Weis the co-pilot. I’ve heard family stories and this mission and have a redacted copy of my grandfather’s flight journal. My father is RC Weis Jr is still living and has the silk map used to navigate when they crash landed.
09. March 2024 access_time 5:04
My great uncle was Raymond Sprowls. My Dad always wanted to hear more about those days but he hardly could speak about it. I was wondering if in your grandfathers flight journal, did he ever mention Raymond? Could I possibly have a copy if so? Thank you
Mia
20. June 2022 access_time 17:36
Hello,
I have been researching a B17G my uncle was a mechanic/gunner on called Ready Teddy although I don’t think 42-31783 is the one I’m looking for. The Ready Teddy I’m looking for I found with the Doddridge crew from the 2nd BG. I did find 42-31783 awhile back when the ArmyAir Corp website was up and running. That’s too bad on that website. I was able to get a lot of info back then. Anyways I found that Kenneth Booke flew 42-31783 (Ready Teddy- Apr-Jun 1944) before it was lost by the Navarre Crew. I have an in flight picture where I can barely read the AC number but unable to see the nose art. You can see a flack during flight. I also have a picture of the Navarre crew when they were training together in the states but not with ready Teddy II. Not sure how to post pics, send me an email.
26. August 2022 access_time 5:26
My grandfather Eugene Campbell was a gunner on Ready Teddy. He flew 32 missions on her. I have his diary of every mission.
19. October 2022 access_time 23:18
Is this the same B17/42-31783? Do you have any photos?
25. April 2023 access_time 23:54
Hello, I was wondering if you can give an email for the person who mentioned his grandfather did 32 missions on Ready Teddy so I can contact him or he can contact me if he wants to.
04. February 2024 access_time 5:16
my grandfather was Raymond Charles Weis the co-pilot. I’ve heard family stories and this mission and have a redacted copy of my grandfather’s flight journal. My father is RC Weis Jr is still living and has the silk map used to navigate when they crash landed.