B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 43-37663 / Rusty Load

B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress – The Queen Of The Skies 43-37663 / Rusty Load

Manufacturer:
Boeing

  • RCL: HR-

MACR: 7819 / KSU/ME/KU: 2585

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History of
B-17 43-37663 / Rusty Load

Delivered Cheyenne 9/5/44; Hunter 21/5/44; Grenier 1/6/44; Assigned: 551BS/385BG [HR- ] Gt Ashfield 7/6/44; MIA Merseburg 29/7/44 Pilot: A.L. Benefield (POW); Dick Barry, Herb Kozel, Leon Davidson, Calvin Winwright, Ed McGrath, Harry Crouse, Harry McCarthy, Chas Campbell (8KIA); flak, crashed Bloesien, Germany. MACR 7819.

Last updated: 10. July 2022

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B-17 43-37663 / Rusty Load Details

Description to the loss of B-17G 43-37663 / Rusty Load

Aircraft was hit by flak in the #4 engine on the bombing run. The right wing blazed up suddenly after the aircraft had started down in a dive turning steeply to its right.

The right wing panel flew off and the right aileron was observed to be missing. The aircraft then went into a spin for approximately 5,000 feet.

After descending to an altitude of approximately 18,000 feet the aircraft blew up. Three chutes were seen to leave the aircraft before it started its downward dive and after the explosion two additional chutes were seen to open amid the debris.

Source: MACR 7819

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B-17 43-37663 / Rusty Load Crew

Position Rank Name Status Note
P 1LT A. L. Benefield POW
CP 2LT Richard G. Barry KIA
BOMB 2LT Leonard F. Davidson KIA
ENG/TT T/SGT Calvin O. Winright KIA
RO T/SGT Edward H. McGrath, Jr. KIA
BT S/SGT Harold P. Crouse KIA
WG S/SGT Harry L. McCarthy, Jr. KIA
TG S/SGT Charles C. Campbell KIA

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