MACR 16346

[Buckeye30]

Gene Salecker's "Fortress against the Sun" lists all known B-17C/D/E/Fs in the Pacific and their fates; 3 B-17Ds are "unknown" but 2 can be accounted for (11th BG) as can the Fs. The 3rd, 40-3060 was at the Hawaiian Depot early 1942 but probably assigned to unit--Recon? The one in question may not have been, the reference to a photo mission to Wake quite plausable though I image the Navy considered that was their prerogative. There was a shortage of photographers ( especially in the SWPA) and Marines were sometimes called on.
If it was an un-painted B-17D it wouldn't carry a serial on the tail so maybe that's why the mystery. They were being camouflaged with what paints were available in the Philippines and Java earlier in 1942 but only when time permitted.


Nick