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Production-block:
B-17G-45-BO: 42-97173 to 42-97435
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 306th Bomb Group
- 398th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 368th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: BO-O
MACR: 8834
History of
B-17 42-97368 / Tailwind
Delivered Cheyenne 23/2/44; Rapid City 10/3/44; Grenier 14/3/44; Assigned 398BG Nuthampstead 25/4/44; no ops, transferred 368BS/306BG [BO-O] Thurleigh 28/4/44; Missing in Action Ruhrland 12/9/44 with John Sasser (died in hospital under going mastoidectomy 20/3/45), Co-pilot: Jim McStay, Navigator: Tony Carlino, Bombardier: Bob Banta, Radio Operator: Gene Carroll,Tail gunner: Ray Wilson (6 Killed in Action); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Virgil MitchelsonWounded in Action, Ball turret gunner: Art Schultz, Waist gunner: Dave RevoltiWounded in Action (3 Prisoner of War); flak, crash landed Massow, near Freyensein, Wittstock, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 8834. TAILWIND.
Last updated: 27. December 2018
30. September 2021 access_time 5:26
Hi there, would be very interested in where you acquired this photo and how you confirmed the aircraft in it. My wife’s grandfather was a bombardier on a B-17 called “Tailwind”. The serial number for the aircraft was 42-102391. Confirmed in photos and the MACR. More information here (http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/1442). Noticed when I searched for information about this aircraft it was mix of his airplane and another (http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/10471). Would love to confirm possibly if this is his aircraft. Look forward to finding out more!
30. September 2021 access_time 8:35
Hi there, would be very interested in where you acquired this photo and how you confirmed the aircraft in it. My wife’s grandfather was a bombardier on a B-17 called “Tailwind”. The serial number for the aircraft was 42-102391. Confirmed in photos and the MACR. More information here (http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/1442).
Noticed when I searched for information about this aircraft it was mix of his airplane and another (http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/10471).
Would love to confirm possibly if this is his aircraft. Look forward to finding out more!
30. October 2022 access_time 19:37
There were at least two B-17s named Tailwind, possibly more. The one I am aware of is #42-97368 of the 306th BG, 368th BS. The bombardier in its crew was Robert Banta, my brother-in-law’s older brother. This is the aircraft in the photo above. It was lost on Sept 12, 1944 near Massow, Germany enroute to a target near Ruhland. A fuller accounting of the loss of this aircraft can be found in the 306th Bomb Group Association publication “Echoes” (Summer and Fall 2013 issue) on their web site http://www.306bg.us.
03. November 2023 access_time 3:16
my grandfather was the captain and pilot on the b-17 tailwind sn#297368 his name was Willard hadjes he was a 1st Lt