B-17 EXPERTS NEEDED ASAP!!!!

[harrison987]

I recently found a B-17 Control Column in France. It originated from a plane that crashed in France I am guessing in 1944. It is in fantastic condition as it was pulled by a local and remained in storage the past 60 years.

Under the BOEING Disk in the centre of the control wheel is the inscription of the names of the crew and the name of the aircraft.

Everything was inscribed by hand, so it is a bit hard to make out, but it looks like is has the aircraft's name and a personal message or something...

"Miss Dixie Ma...tti" (It could say "Miss Dixie Mai", or "Miss Dixie May" as the last letters are faded. Could also say "Winnnie"

1025012814 (some of these numbers may be scratches_...could be 1025w2814

Reyanne Wyo...
...Bomb Bay
...boarding (?) with this shit.

I would like to pass on some photos to those who can help. My main concern is finding out if the details of if there was a Miss Winnie or Miss Dixie, and if the numbers represent an aircraft serial of a plane that possibly crashed in France...

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

Mike

[shooshoobaby]

It would be easier if you could post any crewmen's names.
Mike

[harrison987]

whoops!

Sorry...when I was typing the post, I thought it was the crew names that were inscribed...but it was not. i did not correct it in the post.

it is VERY hard to read as it is faded...

There is only the name of the B-17 and the inscription above.

Mike

[batura]

42-31065/Dixie Baby (BO) 306/367/GY-Z 12/09/1944 Aka "Miss Irish" - Shot down by flak. 1 KIA, 8 POW MACR 8827

42-39940 Dixie Jane. 452nd BG, 731st BS. Lake H. Jameson (Pilot) Febr. 8, 1944. Crashed near St. Pierremont, France, due to being out of fuel. MACR 2521

42-31354 Dixie Jane. 452nd BG, 731st BS. Sorensen (Pilot). March 08, 1944. Crashed near Zerbst, Germany, due to enemy fighters. MACR 3191

[harrison987]

Hey Thanks batura...

Do you have anything with a "Winnie"?

Mike

[Frank Olynyk]

Might I suggest that "Reyanne Wyo... " might actually be a reference to "Cheyenne Wyoming". Just a guess.

Frank.

[harrison987]

Now we are getting someplace!!!

You are 10000% Correct Frank!

Looking closer it says, Cheyenne Wyo!!! I thought it was a stylized R, but it was a "Ch".

So...

I know it says the following...

Miss Winnie Mai*******tti

1025w28 4 could be 4025ww284
Cheyenne Wyo
Good Luck Bay????
***f
"with this sky" or "will this sky" or "with this shit"

Maybe it is some sort of poem or phrase?

[batura]

Mike,

There are several B-17s named Winnie. If you make a search on Google, I believe you can find some info.

Best wishes,

batur

[Stephane Muret]

Hello,
Couldn't former owner of this column give you any information about the date of the crash ? Exact place ? That could ne easier ...

Stephane

[Flupke]

One possibility is that was written at the construction plant by the women who finish the airplane, I have ear that often they put message for encourage the future crew.
The number is maybe the construction number of the A/C in that plant, or the team in charge of the A/C, the C/N is not the same than the contract number who was on the tail
Regards
Phil