B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-5714 / Old Faithful II

History of
B-17 42-5714 / Old Faithful II

Delivered Cheyenne 3/9/42; Assigned 423BS/306BG [RD-S] Thurleigh 16/5/43 OLD FAITHFUL; transferred 323BS/91BG [OR-N] Bassingbourn 11/9/43; transferred 322BS [LL-S]; Missing in Action Schweinfurt 14/10/43 with Bob Slane, Co-pilot: Joe Johnson, Bombardier: Bill Runner, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Sherman Sly, Radio Operator: Vic Kuhlman, Ball turret gunner: Lou Brown, Waist gunner: Chas Croth, Waist gunner: Bob Solomon (8 Prisoner of War), Navigator: Art Foster (EVD-ret UK 19/9/44),Tail gunner: Claud Smith (Killed in Action); enemy aircraft KO’d #3 & #4, crash landed on rail line S of Metz, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 899. Salvaged by Luftwaffe, and restored to be used by KG 200 for spares.

Last updated: 29. July 2023

B-17 42-5714 / Old Faithful II Details

At 1530 hours, from 20,000 feet at 48°40″N – 06°40″E, our aircraft 42-5714 was seen going down under control with No. 4 engine feathered and No. 1 engine smoking. Four chutes were seen to come from this aircraft.

This observation was made by 2nd Lt. Joseph A. Sulli. Aircraft 42-5714 was assigned to the 323rd Bombardment Squadron (H), while Lt. Slane and his crew were from the 401st Bombardment Squadron (H).

Source: MACR 899

Related web sites about the B-17 42-5714 / Old Faithful II

1. http://captured-wings.wikia.com/wiki/42-5714