Most successful U.S. four engined bombers over German/Japanese aircraft
 

What were the most successful individual B-17's, B-24's and B-29's against German and Japanese aircraft?

I know about these B-17's:
Honikuu Okole (18)
Aztec Curse (10)
Thunder Mug (9)
Memphis Belle (8)

These B-24's:
Blue Streak (23)
Wash's Tub (22)
The Goon (16, with Top Gunner Tsgt Arthur Benko)
The Arc (9)

This B-29 - Joltin' Jose (5 plus 5 x shared)

Thank you in advance if any information available; I did a brief search on the website but did not find anything.

markr

Re: Most successful U.S. four engined bombers over German/Japanese aircraft
 

I doubt very much that you will ever be able to find the right scores. American bombers made the worst overclaiming in history.

27th of September 1943:
American claims: 32 shot down, 7 probable and 24 damaged German planes.
German losses: 11

8th of October 1943:
American claims: 157 shot down, 22 probable and 85 damaged
German losses: 25 lost, 5 missing and 6 damaged

9th of October 1943:
American claims: 122 shot down, 29 probable and 61 damaged
German losses: 5 lost, 7 missing and 14 damaged

10th of October 1943:
American claims: 183 shot down, 21 probable and 51 damaged
German losses: 11 lost, 11 missing and 7 damaged

Re: Most successful U.S. four engined bombers over German/Japanese aircraft
 

Hello Markr,

In spite of the overclaiming, the topic is a really interesting one which, maybe can be expanded further. Keep us informed if a work/book arise, ok?

Adriano

Re: Most successful U.S. four engined bombers over German/Japanese aircraft
 

Hello Mark,

have a look here:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=50822
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=50309
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=50189

or here:
http://www.armyaircorps-376bg.com/41...ue_streak.html

Michael

Re: Most successful U.S. four engined bombers over German/Japanese aircraft
 

Thanks Michael, these were very helpful!

markr

Re: Most successful U.S. four engined bombers over German/Japanese aircraft
 

Hello Mark,

you chose an interesting topic.
Did you know that the B-29 still scored in the Korean War ?
http://aces.safarikovi.org/victories...craft.type.pdf

Have a nice Friday,

Michael

Re: Most successful U.S. four engined bombers over German/Japanese aircraft
 

Sure do!

I saw the mock up of B-29 "Command Decision" at the Air Force Museum, in Dayton, Ohio, last summer with my son. Read up on the brief history of the aircraft that they had - 5 x Mig 15's, with three of these downed in one engagement.

Museum also had B-29 "Bockscar" - which, of course, was the aircraft that dropped the second atomic weapon (Nagasaki).

markr

Re: Most successful U.S. four engined bombers over German/Japanese aircraft
 

Good morning Mark,

I think the highest scoring B-29 was "Thumper".
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...ghlight=haynes
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...ghlight=haynes
Do you know how many of her 26 kills were scored with Robert Haynes as pilot ?

Cheers,

Michael

Re: Most successful U.S. four engined bombers over German/Japanese aircraft
 

Hi Michael,

According to those articles, appears that Colonel Haynes flew most of the operations (with Captain Fishburne flying most of the remaining ones), with some 12-13 of the kills (including six on one operation) with Colonel Haynes as the pilot.

markr

Re: Most successful U.S. four engined bombers over German/Japanese aircraft
 

Michael,

By the way, those were excellent threads of yours earlier, about Soviet aces by aircraft type flown (along with the threads about Luftwaffe day and night fighter aces and their aircraft).

Am getting ready to open a thread about Luftwaffe tank aces, by aircraft type (under Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces Forum).

markr