Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum  

Go Back   Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum > Discussion > Allied and Soviet Air Forces

Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #21  
Old 29th March 2019, 03:41
RSwank RSwank is offline
Alter Hase
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bloomington, IN USA
Posts: 2,014
RSwank is on a distinguished road
Re: B-17 Gremlin

A few more thoughts on Gremlin.
In trying to figure out the block number for Gremlin, I discovered something interesting.
I made extensive use of this site, in particular starting on this page and following just the B-17F blocks out to the linked photos.
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/datenbank/

The position of the right-side gun in the window is unusual. Most of the time the gun in the window is positioned toward the nose of the plane. Such a here:
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/...-lady/42-5081/

The only photo I found with the gun on the “back” side of the window (and with the navigator’s dome and other features that Gremlin has) is this one:
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/...i/media-19834/

This might suggest that the Gremlin was part of the same block, i.e. B-17F-45-BO, which consisted of serial numbers 42-5250 to 42-5349. Most of those planes never went overseas and none in the block seem to be named Gremlin.

The other thing of interest in the photo of Gremlin is the position of the sun. If you look at man leaning out of the copilot’s window and try to estimate the position of the sun based on the shadow his head casts I think you will agree that it has to be a fairly high altitude. I.e., it is not at 90 degrees (directly overhead) but line from the tip of the shadow through the top of the cap on his head which is casting the shadow seem to point between 70 to 80 degrees at least. What parts of Europe, even on June 21 when the sun is the furthest north would experience a sun altitude that high? This is a site: www.suncalc.org
that lets you play around with various locations and dates and see what the altitude of the sun would be throughout any particular day. If we assume a “best” case of June 21 and try to find locations that put the sun above 70 degrees, say at 75 degrees around noon, you will find that the only locations seem to be places like Southern Italy, Sicily, Greece and of course points further south.

So, perhaps we are looking for a B-17 that flew in the 12th AF and went down in the summer of 43 (just after the allies had retaken North Africa).


(As to the Gremlin image, I though he might be holding a 45 ;-)
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 3rd June 2019, 18:15
kaki3152 kaki3152 is offline
Alter Hase
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,839
kaki3152 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: B-17 Gremlin

bump
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 14th June 2019, 21:30
Charles Fackelman
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: B-17 Gremlin

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex Smart View Post
390BG/569BS
43-38274
MACR 11117
24 the December 1944
Looking for as much information as possible, Photos of crew any surviving family member.. Robert Fackelman is a family and my High School had the students that Served but I knew nothing about him
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 4th August 2020, 05:41
kaki3152 kaki3152 is offline
Alter Hase
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,839
kaki3152 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: B-17 Gremlin

Old post, but I found another picture of what looks to be a similar Gremlin, drawn by the same artist. Note the similar pose, the identical depiction of the left hand, the parachute attachment. The photograph is from "Vintage Aircraft Nose Art" by G. Valant,1987. The aircraft type is not identified on the photograph. Maybe "The Gremlin" is a squadron motto? Or the one with the German soldiers all over it was a replacement? Any thoughts welcomed
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 4th August 2020, 16:39
RSwank RSwank is offline
Alter Hase
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bloomington, IN USA
Posts: 2,014
RSwank is on a distinguished road
Re: B-17 Gremlin

Yes, here it is:

https://books.google.com/books?id=J4...lin%22&f=false



Looks like the credit NASM would possible be the National Air and Space Museum.

Last edited by RSwank; 4th August 2020 at 18:40.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 5th August 2020, 16:37
Buckeye30's Avatar
Buckeye30 Buckeye30 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bedford, England
Posts: 736
Buckeye30 is on a distinguished road
Re: B-17 Gremlin

Kaki-Rolland. I think that is a replica painting post-war on a B-24 panel ( note the Ford camouflage style apart from the condition); there were many done for sale or museums. Just my opinion.

Fred Hayner " Hayner the Painter" used to do them for the 479FG.
You are right about the NASM.
The red outline to the B-17F insignia was carried over on some aircraft well into 1944 without updating.

Nick
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 6th August 2020, 06:43
kaki3152 kaki3152 is offline
Alter Hase
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,839
kaki3152 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: B-17 Gremlin

Possibly, but I am certain there is a relationship between the shot down B-17 image and the other Gremlin drawing. Otherwise, why would there be so many points in common.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 6th August 2020, 08:20
Revi16 Revi16 is offline
Alter Hase
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,313
Revi16 is on a distinguished road
Re: B-17 Gremlin

Quote:
Originally Posted by kaki3152 View Post
Possibly, but I am certain there is a relationship between the shot down B-17 image and the other Gremlin drawing. Otherwise, why would there be so many points in common.
I think it's just a character from a book. No different than when multiple Mickey Mouse's looks alike.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gremlins
https://pictures.abebooks.com/BURREN...8106149652.jpg
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
In hindsight, who was the top day scorer? Broncazonk Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces 59 18th June 2021 10:01
German overclaims in the East. Hartmann and others... Nikita Egorov Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces 232 31st January 2020 04:21
9 December 1943 - YAK 1 loss (Lipfert's 74th victory) Adriano Baumgartner Allied and Soviet Air Forces 29 20th June 2018 22:09
[Study] November 23, 1939 : Luftwaffe losses / crash sites over France (I need your help !) DIscotraxxx Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces 18 21st October 2013 23:49
Hurricane serial number June 1940 Brian Allied and Soviet Air Forces 3 5th March 2013 13:39


All times are GMT +2. The time now is 17:25.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2018, 12oclockhigh.net