B-17GSH
 

I raised the question before, but the mystery hasn't been solved: what do the letters GSH mean? In some cases PFF B-17's are referred to as being B-17GSH (or B-17G(SH) sometimes). It concerns B-17 with H2X modification. For instance B-17G 42-30280

Who knows the meaning (please add source)?

Many thanks.

--Cees

Re: B-17GSH
 

Dag Cees,

The "SH" somehow only seems to show up on the website of wdnorton.nl.

A further Google search offered no real pointers.

Perhaps contact Rob van den Brink of above website where he found that designation?

"B-17GSH" only (or at least mostly) cited where it concerns losses in/around the Zuiderzee/IJsselmeer. Coincidental?

Groet,

Leendert

Re: B-17GSH
 

Thanks Leendert!

Indeed, the GSH references are in relation to 42-3486 and 42-30280: both PFF planes went down in lake IJsselmeer, north and west of Harderwijk, resp. on 11/1 and 21/2 1944. Both their MACR's mention B-17GSH.

But what does it mean?

--Cees

PS: MACR 3362 also mentions B-17GSH....

Re: B-17GSH
 

Cees,

As has been suggested before, the SH most likely (and simply..) refers to a H2S or H2X-equipped aircraft. "Special" or "Stinky" H2S?

At that time the USAAF had no special prefix for Radar planes, the R then allocated to "Restricted" use a/c.

There were also B-24s with suffix "SH" after their type (B-24HSH/JSH), all with H2X. See e.g. http://www.458bg.com/ac-agfishshoppe under Disposition.

Other examples are B-24HSH 42-51149 and B-24JSH 42-51955, both 453rd BG.

Please also see
http://www.b24bestweb.com/tigersrevenge2.htm, with many more on this website (enter H2X in search).

Groet,

Leendert

Re: B-17GSH
 

Cess,

Just to add: perhaps take a look here as well: http://www.b24bestweb.com/b24bestweb-DataList.htm and scroll down to SER(ies).

SH = H2X. No "logical" abbreviation, just a functional code.

Groet,

Leendert

Re: B-17GSH
 

Thanks Leendert! This clarifies a lot and brings me further. Many thanks! --Cees

Re: B-17GSH
 

Hello,
You may want to look in Freeman's "The Mighty Eighth War Manual".
On page 47
Moling,
page 48
H2S and Oboe.
page 49
H2X and explanation of " Standing Operational Procedure (SOP)
page 50 to 52
Synchronized H2X Bombing,
Gee-H,
Micro H.
On pages 161 to 163.
Special Radar B17s
Aphrodite B17's ( Double-Azob Aphrodite B17)
Castor B17
Radio Countermeasures B17s
Serial numbers given.
On pages 172 to 174.
Items explained are with "original a/c" serial number lists, which suggests there were later a/c -
H2S B24,
H2X B24,
"Moling" B24,
"Eagle" B24,
"Axon" B24,
Radio Countermeasures B24.
All the best
Alex

Re: B-17GSH
 

Thanks for this info. It helps to solve the GSH suffix question. --Cees