{"id":9696,"date":"2018-09-02T04:00:38","date_gmt":"2018-09-02T02:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/?post_type=b17database&p=9696"},"modified":"2025-08-30T21:44:35","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T19:44:35","slug":"42-30119-hunters-answer","status":"publish","type":"b17database","link":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-30119-hunters-answer\/","title":{"rendered":"42-30119 \/ Hunter’s Answer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The B-17 in the picture has the name “Vicky”. In the records unfortunately no serial number for “Vicky” is known. In the tail the numbers 23011? are to be recognized well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using the principle of elimination, I conclude that “Vicky” must have serial number #42-30119. Which is also known as “Hunter’s Answer”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The photos show the last moments of the B-17 #42-30119 “Vicky”.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Picture top left shows the B-17 “Vicky” having reached the target and drops its bombs. The top right picture shows the “Vicky” after it had been hit, with flames pouring from the rear of the inner starboard engine. In the lower left photo, the pilot is pulling the stricken ship from the formation, leaving a trail of smoke and flames. The final picture shows the breaking up of “Vicky”. Two members of the crew are to be seen parachuting downward.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Statements of eyewitnesses from MACR 414<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I was second elemend leader of the formation in which aircraft 42-30119 was flying. We were just coming off of the target and making a turn, we were flying in a javelin-down position down and about half of the element was unsevered. I saw pursuit come in at 11’oclock, about 8 of them, it is my opinion that the aircraft was hit by their attack, causing a fire in number four engine. It appeared to me that the pilot lost control of the aircraft, it rolled over and I could see no doverage on the bottom part of the wing. I was told by a number of my crew that the wing collapsed and hit the tail section causing the aircraft disentegrate. Because of my position I did not see anyone hit the silk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1Lt. Roger C. Lyon<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I was flying as Ball Turret Gunner on aircraft 42-3133<\/a> on July 22, 1943. We had just dropped our bombs and was leaving the target area when I noticed number 4 engine on aircraft number 42-30119 on fire. Apparently the aircraft had been hit by enemy anti-aircraft, causing the fire. Even though the aircraft was burning the pilot remained in position for approximately 2 minutes and then side slipped to the left trying to put out the fire. The right wing section broke off and flew back hitting the tail section, this causing the fuselage to break into. I saw three parachutes. Two were occupied by men of the down aircraft but third was fluttering in the air without an occupent. I watched the two men go down and saw they land on the coast about 15 miles from the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

S\/Sgt. George Leffingwell<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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