B-17G "Marsha Sue" 533rd BS, 381st BG
 

Hopefully one of the USAAF BG experts will be able to help with this as this is well and truly outside my scope of interest.

I have a friend who has a particular interest in this Fort and I was wondering whether anyone here has more extensive information and photos concerning this aircraft from what is available via the usual internet sites.

He's contacted the 381st association but to no avail. If anyone here can help I know he'll be ecstatic!

Aircraft is as per the thread title, B-17G 42-97059 "Marsha Sue" of the 533rd BS, 381st BG.

Thanks,

Tim

Re: B-17G "Marsha Sue" 533rd BS, 381st BG
 

https://www.fold3.com/image/16127939...s=marsha%20sue

https://www.fold3.com/image/16127933...s=marsha%20sue

https://www.fold3.com/image/16127936...s=marsha%20sue

https://www.fold3.com/image/161283585?terms=42-97059

Re: B-17G "Marsha Sue" 533rd BS, 381st BG
 

https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/...59-marsha-sue/

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/10164

Re: B-17G "Marsha Sue" 533rd BS, 381st BG
 

Thanks Revi but he's got pretty much everything that is generally available on the net including those, so is after more detailed information regarding the aircraft's service and her crew including photos. I think one of the things he would especially love to see is the traditional crew photo in front of the aircraft.

Hopefully one of the US heavy experts might have something in their collections.

Re: B-17G "Marsha Sue" 533rd BS, 381st BG
 

.... "slight mid air collision with 43-38986...." sheared rudder off! (presumably meaning only the movable part, not the entire fin).
2nd aircraft in that production block. The 80-BO(eing) batch introduced the Cheyenne tail turret with improved visibility, abetter gunsight and a bicycle style seat to avoid the gunner having to kneel whilst operating the turret, making it more comfortable - and reducing length by 5 inches.

[Until looking that up, I hadn't realised the tail gunner had to kneel to operate his guns, thought he was seated. https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php?topic=21120.0 ]

Having seen the reply that "he's seen all the above but wants crew photos, does he know the rest of the crews Names? Often "anonymous" crews might have the Captains Name, and then it may be down to tracing family of those crewmen, in case they have a photo of "their" plane. If 381st haven't a photo, perhaps the USAAF archives might, even though they may not have it filed under Tail Number, but perhaps a crew Name... If he's seen everything "out there" he needs to go to the main repository of photos and records, the USAAF.

Re: B-17G "Marsha Sue" 533rd BS, 381st BG
 

The problem with crew photos is that if their usual aircraft was out of service, they would be assigned another. So even if a crew photo for Marsha Sue was found, would it be the regular crew?