|
Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
||||
|
||||
B-17 pilot whose crew was credited with the most aerial kills
Good morning Gentlemen,
who was the B-17 pilot whose crew was credited with the most aerial kills ? Cheers, Michael |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Re: B-17 pilot whose crew was credited with the most aerial kills
...I believe it was Felix Hardison, the pilot of Suzy-Q, whose gunners claimed 26 Japanese aircraft destroyed. Did he ever fly another aircraft in combat or did another pilot ever fly a mssion
in Suzy-Q ? |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
Re: B-17 pilot whose crew was credited with the most aerial kills
Hardison flew several other B-17s in 1942 from Australia with the 93BS.
41-2640 Tojos Physic 41-2665 Lulu 41-24391 Hoomalimali 41-24384 Snoopy 41-24458 San Antonio Rose 41-2643 - The 93rd Indian head insignia was painted on in Hawaii on the return to USA. "Claims to fame" Birdsall / Freeman Nick |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Re: B-17 pilot whose crew was credited with the most aerial kills
Good evening Nick,
and did he also fly combat missions in these planes ? Best greetings from Switzerland, Michael |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Re: B-17 pilot whose crew was credited with the most aerial kills
He flew missions in all these....
41-2640 4 July. 41-2665 30 July. 41-2643 7 August. 41-24391 26 August. 41-24384 29 August. 41-24458 in Sept. ( dates not known). The 26 Rising Suns were painted on the rear access door, and the name was on both sides. The squadron insignia included a "93" and 3 Iron Crosses. This is a close-up of the lettering behind the badge. I think you can read them. "HOEVET FIELD" near the bottom is Mareeba airfield, Australia. https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/for...56-b17-suzy-q/ Regards Nick |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Re: B-17 pilot whose crew was credited with the most aerial kills
Good evening Nick,
thanks for the dates. If the USAAF had credited heavy bomber pilots with the kills of their crews, Felix Hardison would have been among the top 10 US all-time-scorers. Or did any other pilot ever fly Suzy-Q in combat ? Best greetings from Switzerland, sincerely, Michael |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Re: B-17 pilot whose crew was credited with the most aerial kills
Sorry Michael, I don't know but her first mission was Feb. 9 flown by Lt. Hillhouse from Java; she arrived on the 7th and Hardison flew her on the 12th. In March the 93rd. retired to Australia. As far as I know all 26 were credited to the Hardison crew (?).
If bomber pilots ever had their "own" aircraft this was Hardison's especially as she was named for his wife Priscilla. The only other "Suzy Q" I can think of was a B24D 41-23817 (44BG), Col. Leon Johnson won the CMH in her at Ploesti. Regards Nick |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Re: B-17 pilot whose crew was credited with the most aerial kills
Good afternoon Nick,
there was also a B-26 of that name: https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-26/40-1391.html Why was the B-17 named after Hardison's wife when her name was Priscilla? The song made famous by Creedence Clearwater Revival is originally by Dale Hawkins from 1957: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AtV7NTIt9g Cheers, Michael |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
Re: B-17 pilot whose crew was credited with the most aerial kills
Hi Michael. The "Suzy-Q" was a dance step from the 1930s, included in novelty dances like the Jitterbug or Lindy Hop; Hardin Armstrong (2nd wife of Louis) performed it in the 1936 song "Doin' the Suzie Q" (note spelling).
Hope this helps Nick Thanks for the link. |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
Re: B-17 pilot whose crew was credited with the most aerial kills
Hello Nick,
never heard about that Lady or the song before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1iOUQ_YIYQ I wonder if this particular song was really the inspiration for all those bomber names, because White people in these days rarely listened to Black music, did they ? Cheers, Michael |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
SB2C aerial victories - Pilot names? | ondro123 | Japanese and Allied Air Forces in the Far East | 31 | 11th November 2023 09:08 |
Ju188 lost in France | Eric Larger | Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces | 16 | 15th December 2011 23:47 |
Losses of B-17's in RCM role | paul peters | Allied and Soviet Air Forces | 4 | 15th February 2006 20:57 |
pilot crew listings | klaymann | Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces | 8 | 15th February 2006 20:47 |
German Claims in Poland 1939 | Marius | Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces | 56 | 12th September 2005 17:39 |