Production-block:
B-17G-105-BO: 43-39074 to 43-39273
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 398th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 600th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: N8-M
MACR: 12650
History of
B-17 43-39128 / Beatty’s 8-Balls
Delivered Lincoln 9/12/45; Dow Fd 17/12/44; Assigned 600BS/398BG [N8-M] Nuthampstead 13/2/45; (4m) Missing in Action Wittenberg, Ger 22/2/45 with Hubert Beatty, Co-pilot: Jim Honaker, Navigator: Jim Luna (3 Killed in Action); Bombardier: Urie Zook, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Larry Moore, Radio Operator: Jim Godsey, Ball turret gunner: Bernard Bagley, Waist gunner: Alva Freeman,Tail gunner: John Conway (6 Prisoner of War); jet enemy aircraft hit #1 & #2, crashed Altendorf, NE of Brunswick; Missing Air Crew Report 12650. BEATTY’S 8-BALLS.
Last updated: 18. May 2017
30. January 2023 access_time 23:12
My dad was the tail gunner on Beattys 8 balls. He told me on numerous occasions that Urie Zook died in his arms from friendly fire while being transported by train to a new POW camp.
09. November 2023 access_time 18:26
Bernard – my grandmother was married to Hubert Beatty. Do you have any information on him from your father? Best – Stuart
10. February 2024 access_time 0:27
Stuart – I have letters written in 1945 indicating that my mother was engaged to a crew member (Urie Zook) on 1 Lt Beatty’s B-17. There is a wealth of information at the following URL: https://www.398th.org/PDF/History/MACRs/MACR_12650_398th_600th_19450222_Beatty.pdf
There are 42 pages of historical documents describing the incident. For example, statements made by flight crew members indicate that 1 Lt Beatty was not injured when the B-17 was hit by enemy fire (from a German ME-262 jet) but he died when the B-17 blew up at an elevation of about 5,000 ft.
20. September 2024 access_time 15:25
Bonjour je m’appelle Jean-Philippe Gentil je suis Français et je fais parti d’une association qui s’appelle Mémoire Database je fais des recherches sur les équipages de B17 et en ce moment je travaille sur le Lt Beatty et son équipage auriez vous des renseignements et photos ainsi que le B17 merci de votre aide
10. February 2024 access_time 0:05
I have letters that my mother had written during WW2. In 1945 she wrote that she was engaged to Urie Zook and that his plane was shot down and he then died on March 10, 1945 when the German train he was being transported in was hit by friendly fire. I am also in contact with one or Urie Zook’s relatives. If you have time, please contact me by email so that we can share details. Thank you.
20. September 2024 access_time 15:28
Bonjour, je m’appelle jean-Philippe Gentil et je recherche des informations sur l’équipage du BEATTY’ 8 BALLS je fais parti d’une association Mémoire Database et je travaille sur les équipages de B17 merci de aide
20. September 2024 access_time 15:21
Bonjour, je m’appelle Jean- Philippe Gentil et je fais parti d’une association ‘mémoire database. je me suis spécialisé sur les recherches d’équipages de B17 et j’effectue en ce moment des recherches sur l’équipage du Lt Beatty John Conway était le pilote! avez vous des informations ou photo sur le B17 je ne trouve rien merci de votre aide
05. February 2024 access_time 11:42
I have pictures of Beatty and crew, wife and son Tink
10. February 2024 access_time 0:40
Mike – I have letters written by my mother in 1945 indicating that she was engaged to Urie Zook, one of 1 Lt Beatty’s crew members. I am also in contact with a relative of Urie Zook. Can I have copies of any pictures you may have that may include Urie Zook? Thanks. Are you related to 1 Lt Beatty? If so, I will send you an excerpt of my mother’s letters mentioning going to Virginia to talk to the wives of the pilot and copilot. She accompanied a crew member Larry Moore.
18. September 2024 access_time 19:28
Bonjour, je suis Français et je travaille sur les équipages de B17 pour une association je fais en ce moment le portrait du Lt BEATTY mon association s’appelle Mémoire Database je cherche photo de son avion et sur son parcours merci de votre aide j’ai un profond respect pour tous ces hommes qui ont donné leurs vie pour la liberté merci