B17 in the UK

[alex crawford]

Hi,

Does anyone know when the first B17s arrived in the UK.

Alex

[Alex Smart]

Hello Alex,


For the RAF from May of 1941, these were in the AN518 to AN537 serial range and were known as Fortress Mk.I's.

The USAAF's first Fortress arrived in the UK on the 1st July 1942 when 41-9085 piloted by Lt. Johnson from the 97th Group landed at Prestwick.

During the time of transporting these first B17's to the UK, five were lost en route, however at least three crews were saved haveing landed in Greenland.IIRC.

From Fortresses of the Big Triangle First by Cliff Bishop, on page 151 through to 156, the aim was to deliver 53 B17's. the 97th had 35 assigned so a further 18 were requested. Tese all came under the code name Bolero.

in the event 49 a/c were scheduled to make the flight, but due to accidents in the US only 46 started out from the USA.

A full list of these a/c with pilots names is on page 156.

All for now

Alex

[Alex Smart]

Hi Alex,


These are the RAF ones.

40-2043 - AN518 - 90/220 - ret to USAAF 1/12/42 as 40-2066
40-2044 - AN519 - 90/206/59 - Soc 12/12/43
40-2051 - AN520 - 90/220/206/214 - So9c 14/8/44
40-2052 - AN521 - 90/220 - Abandoned after engine fire 6m NNW of Shallufa
on 10/1/42
40-2053 - AN522 - 90 - Broke up in clud on air test 10m N of Catterick Bridge
Yorks on 22/6/41
40-2055 - AN523 - 90/220 - Damaged by fighters over Brest, C/L Roborough,
DBF 16/8/41 codes were WP-L and NR-L
40-2056 - AN524 - CCDU - to 3355MSeptember 42
40-2057 - AN525 - 90 - S/D by Bf109 on return from Oslo 60m N of
Kristiansand Norway 8/9/41
40-2060 - AN526 - 90 - to 4449M from October 42
40-2061 - AN527 - 90/220 - Soc 15/9/43
40-2064 - AN528 - 90 - Caught fire running up at Polebrook 3/7/41
40-2065 - AN529 - 90 - C/R in F/L 80m W of Fort Maddallena, Libia 8/11/41
40-2066 - AN530 - 90/220/206 - Soc 11/9/43. Codes were WP-J & MB-J
40-2068 - AN531 - 90/220/206 - Soc 17/1/45
40-2069 - AN532 - 90/220 - returned to the USAAF as 40-2079 on 1/12/42
40-2071 - AN533 - 90 - S/D by Bf109 over Norway on return from Oslo 6/9/41
40-2073 - AN534 - 90 - Broke up in air turbulence over Willbarston, 1m N of
Stoke Albany N'Hants 28/7/41
40-2075 - AN535 - 90 - Damaged by Bf109's over Norway on return from Oslo
and C/L at Kimbolton, DBR 8/9/41
40-2076 - AN536 - 90 - Broke up in cloud & C/R at Shepreth, nr Foxton,
Cambs 9/1/42
40-2079 - AN537 - 90/220/214 - Soc 1/9/44 known
code was WP-B

NOTE:
From "Flying Fortress by R. Freeman
40-2066 - AN532 - ret to USAAF 1/12/42 burnt out
40-2069 - AN524 - Damaged on delivery ret to US 1/12/42 Cr Hendricks
3/1/43, Sal
40-2079 - AN518 - Ret to US 26/9/43 W/O 1/9/44
40-2055 - AN537 - 220

While some of the above info differs from others findings I feel that mine is quite safe.

Alex

[alex crawford]

Hi,

Thanks for the details. I'm trying to date a photo of a Hurricane. In the background there is what apears to be the tail of a B17. On the fuselage there is the US marking of the blue circle, white star with the red center spot.
I'm trying to get a time frame for this marking on a US aircraft in the UK.

Should have explained properly in original post.

Alex

[Alex Smart]

Hello Alex,

Silly question perhaps but any chance you can read the serial number on the tail ?

It is possible that this photo is of a USN B17 ?

A "C" or "E" modell ?

Definite it is in the UK ? not North America , Canada or Iceland ?

Roundel type on Hurricane ?

Alex

[Alex Smart]

Hello Alex,

I may have found the answer.

B17's flew eastwards to get to the Pacific in 41.

Photo caption in Bowman's Crowood book has B17E's 41-2459 & 41-2461 at Shallufa when they passed through in December 41 on their way to join the 19th BG in the Philippines.

A lysander is in the background of the photo but too far away to make out details.

Alex

[SteveB]

Alex

According to Roger Freeman in "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" B-17s first arrived in April and May 1941 when they were also issued to 90Sqdn.

Steve