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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-10-VE: 42-39958 to 42-40057
Manufacturer:
Lockheed/Vega
- Bomb Group:
- 379th Bomb Group
- 490th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 524th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: WA-H
Missions: 157
History of
B-17 42-40003 / Topper aka Ol’ Gappy
Delivered Long Beach 1/11/43; Denver 27/11/43; Presque Is 11/12/43; Assigned 524BS/379BG [WA-H] Kimbolton 21/1/44; transferred 490BG Eye; with 157 missions was top aircraft in 8AF, and only one abort; returned to US 121 BU Bradley 28/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 12/9/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 10/11/45. TOPPER aka OL’ GAPPY.
Last updated: 6. May 2018
B-17 42-40003 / Topper aka Ol’ Gappy Details
Her Nickname was first “Ole Gappy” but her Nose Art had the ghostly figure of a dapper gentleman much like in the movie “Topper”. So it was known by either/or. Her claim to fame is her 157 Combat Missions which is considered the most of any other Heavy Bomber in the ETO. Her Ground Crew Chief was M/Sgt Joe Sligoski.
15. December 2022 access_time 16:18
She had two Ground Crew Chiefs during her time with the 379th BG. Her first was T/Sgt Walter Wolcott. When he was promoted to Flight Line “A” NCOIC the job went to M/Sgt Joe Sligoski for her last 30 or so missions.