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

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks again Guys

I think we can safely discard any B-17F since only some 75-80 were accepted before our deadline
of 23 July 1942

None of those B-17Fs can be connected to either the unit or date in question.

We can also safely dismiss all B-17C, since they face the same problem as the Fs above

A quick search of all D/Es doesn't come up with the relevant date, but I have not checked
them in detail, 40-3060 is a possible candidate. All I have found is it was repaired after its
accident 7 Dec 1941 and went back to 42BS but then all data stops except a condemned date
in 1943. All very vague.

B Rgds
Stig