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Source:
www.americanairmuseum.com
Production-block:
B-17G-15-VE: 42-97436 to 42-97535
Manufacturer:
Lockheed/Vega
- Bomb Group:
- 91st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 401st Bomb Squadron
- RCL: LL-A
MACR: 4048
Missions: 19
History of
B-17 42-97519 / Spirit of Billy Mitchell
Delivered Cheyenne 8/12/43; Kearney 30/12/43; Assigned 401BS/91BG [LL-A] Bassingbourn 12/2/44; Missing in Action 19m Kassel 19/4/44 with Sam Evans*, Co-pilot: Dick Thompson*, Bombardier: Tom Harper, Ball turret gunner: Bob Kasch, Waist gunner: Hugh Winfree, Waist gunner: Alf Scelza* (6POW- *wia taken to Melsungen Hospital); Navigator: Harry Levin, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Dick Saffell, Radio Operator: Phil Del Torto, Tail gunner: Bob Schupp (4 Killed in Action); hit by many Me 109’s and crashed S of Herlefeld, 18 miles SE of Kassel, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 4048. SPIRIT OF BILLY MITCHELL.
Last updated: 24. December 2019
B-17 42-97519 / Spirit of Billy Mitchell Details
12. February 2020 access_time 5:41
My grandfather (Thomas Warren Harper) was the bombardier of this plane that went down over Kassel Germany on April 19th 1944. He always said it was his 24th mission but when I read the mission daily reports from the 401st Bomb Group I counted 22 missions where his name is listed.
24. February 2024 access_time 8:32
Tom Harper was my Uncle. He gave me some presents when I was a boy including some old army and air force unit patches. I was told he went down on his 24th mission but my memory is not the best. I do have a letter he wrote me where he speaks about when he was shot down. It was quite a story. I was told he kept an illustrated diary of when he was a POW. Do you have any knowledge of that. I’ll have to dig it up and see.
24. February 2024 access_time 8:38
btw , Uncle Tom is the fellow kneeling down at the left end of the front row wearing goggles and leather flight helmet.
24. February 2024 access_time 23:33
Hi Charles,
I know my grandfather had 2 Brothers…. Stanley, Charley and a sister Blanch I believe. According to my grandfathers stories Charley was a Silver Gloves Boxer in his youth…. are you named after him? I’ve seen that journal you’re talking about after my mom and I went through the house after grandma’s funeral. It is now with her younger sister Patty who I haven’t seen in 10 plus years.
I’ve been watching the Masters of the Air series with my wife and it’s fascinating to see all the stories of some of his missions and time as a POW come to life on TV!
Best,
12. March 2024 access_time 9:02
Yes, Toms brother Chuck was my father. I met Patty when I was a young boy. I have a lot of family history going back to our ancestor who came over from England, fought in the Continental Navy as a warrant officer. Contact me if that is of interest.
12. March 2024 access_time 9:03
Oh, yes, my Dad was a boxer.
07. November 2024 access_time 18:26
My Great Grandfather was Sam L Evans he was a lieutenant and pilot. On his last mission he was shot down and presumed MIA, While he became captured by Axis forces. He survived being a POW and came home to the states. Another Great Grandfather of mine who i don’t have ample information of was a paratrooper and was deployed behind enemy lines and was also captured.