Original image caption: S/Sgt. Leon E. Piatek, Thorp, Wisconsin poses beside a plane at an air base somewhere in England.
S/Sgt. Leon E. Piatek and the unknown B-17 Details
Anmerkungen:
- The image noted B-17F-55-BO; 42-3XXXX. This is incorrect because B-17F-55-BO: begins with 42-29467 through 42-29531.
- A B-17 with 45 combat missions or more.
- Project 3(?)0264
Research results with the support of Flip Marchese:
- S/Sgt. Leon E. Piatek was with the 99th Bomb Group; 416th Bomb Squadron.
- consequently the picture was not taken in England, but in North Africa
- For the period December 1942 to March 1943, there are only two B-17s on the shortlist: B-17F-55-BO #42-29507 “Lady Luck” or B-17F-55-BO #42-29509 “Bad Penny.”
- S/Sgt. Piatek was mentioned in a 99th Bomb Group Newsletter in connection with the B-17F “Bad Penny.” This information reinforces the assumption that #42-29509 “Bad Penny” is seen in the background.
B-17F-55-BO #42-29509 “Bad Penny” – Confirmed
Steve Birdsall confirmed on my Facebook page a few days ago that the B-17 behind S/Sgt. Leon E. Piatek is B-17F-55-BO #42-29509 “Bad Penny” and attached another photo.
Published: 24. July 2021 / Last updated: 24. July 2021
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