379th Bomb Group - B-17G Flying Fortress - "Ol' Gappy" Question?????

[Mark Copeland]

Hello All!!

I wanted to confirm my research with all of you concerning a particular use of high visibility YELLOW tail flash that was used by the 379th Bomb Group and it's relation to a particular Fortress in the unit, B-17G-10-VE -
42-40003, "Ol Gappy." She flew an astonishing 157 missions with the Group and finished amongst the top of the all time mission number list for 8th Air Force Forts.

In August of 1944, the 379th Bomb Group received orders to paint the tail markings of their aircraft with a large yellow surround to their "Triangle K."
This was obviously a way to better identify the 379th BG, much like the 303rd BG did on their tail markings, only they used a red surround to the "Triangle C."

My question is this. This was a Group practice during the late summer of 1944 until when? Or has anyone seen a photo of those markings being carried throughout the end of the war? In particular, did "Ol Gappy" carry these markings; and, did she wear the yellow surround until the end of the war??

My conclusion is that she wore the yellow surround on her tail, but for long is mystery.

It's an interesting question...and I would appreciate any thoughts.

Mark Copeland