| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-50-BO: 42-5350 to 42-5484 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 2nd Bomb Group, 301st Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 419th Bomb Squadron, 429th Bomb Squadron |
| MACR | 1519 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (19 December 1943) |
History of
B-17 42-5409 / Lydia Pinkham
Delivered Cheyenne 2/12/42; West Palm Beach 12/1/43; Assigned 419BS/301BG Ain M’Lila 3/3/43; St Donat 6/3/43; Oudna 6/8/43; {55m} transferred 429BS/2BG Massicault 14/11/43; Bizerte 2/12/43; Amendola 9/12/43; Missing in Action {8m} Innsbruck 19/12/43, with Bob Peterson, Co-pilot: Jim Bellingham, Navigator: Marlin Briggs, Bombardier: John Hardin, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: George Weimer, Ball turret gunner: Colin Smith, Waist gunner: Leo Schumacher, Waist gunner: George Smith,Tail gunner: Ray Snyder {9POW, 6 chutes seen}; Radio Operator: Allen Bennett (KIA – shot by Germans after landing OK); enemy aircraft set fire to ship, crashed Udine, Italy. Missing Air Crew Report 1519. LYDIA PINKHAM.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
This page was last updated on 24 February 2018
09. November 2021 access_time 2:48
The navigator was my father in law and his name is Merlin Briggs.
20. December 2022 access_time 17:27
My grandfather, Jake Walters, was the original captain for Lydian Pinkham’s first 50 missions. Do you have any photos of the plane or nose art?
28. May 2024 access_time 0:04
The name Jake Walters rings a bell with me. My father, Benjamin (Ben) Magee was the radio operator on the Lydia Pinkam with missions from North Africa to Italy. I believe his pilot was Jake Walters and I remember receiving Christmas cards from the Walters over many years. I have a small picture of the plane in my collection.
18. August 2025 access_time 2:18
I would love any photos of the Lydia that you may have…I have a few photos of the crew I will send you. Feel free to email me. Thanks!
18. December 2022 access_time 3:27
My Uncle George Weimer was the Flight Engineer/TTG.
20. December 2022 access_time 17:27
My grandfather, Jake Walters, was the original captain for Lydian Pinkham’s first 50 missions. Do you have any photos of the plane or nose art?
30. April 2023 access_time 23:10
Hello,
I recently purchased an oil painting of a B-17 in flight, tail # 25409, nose art “Lydia” . On the back of the framed painting, Walters is written in pencil. Let me know if would like me to send pictures.
07. October 2023 access_time 5:24
Yes, my brother Brian Young sent the original message. Here is my email: jjsemarley@yahoo.com
Thank you so much!!