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Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. |
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#1
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B-17 aircraft lost en route to the USA
Presumably the 8th Air Force B-17s that flew back across the Atlantic from the UK were only those with crews who had completed a tour and were allowed to fly home? I doubt that B-17 were ever used as transports.
The reason I ask is that in researching details of Pilot Officer Alfred John De Laune Ruttledge DFC RCAF (J/15160) of 138 Sqn, I discovered that he was lost without trace on 15th December 1944 between the Azores and the USA, while hitching a ride home in a B-17 - and yet the USAAF losses for 15th Dec 1944 do not show any likely matches. I had thought it could have been an RCAF aircraft but none used the B-17 and I doubt that a returning RCAF crew would have been able take their plane home with them. So can anyone confirm the B-17 aircraft's identity?
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Larry Hayward |
#2
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Re: B-17 aircraft lost en route to the USA
The RCAF did in fact operate some Fortresses. They were used by 168 Heavy Transport Sqdn and started mail runs to/from Prestwick early in 1944. More than that I don't know.
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#3
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Re: B-17 aircraft lost en route to the USA
And the website of the The Canadian Virtual War Memorial list for 15 December 1944 eight airmen of 168 Sqn RCAF that are all commemorated on Ottawa Memorial, so were probably the crew of a transport B-17 lost in the Atlantic.
By the way you man is listed by the above site as a member of 168 Sqn RCAF, not 138 Sqn. On this site (http://www.ody.ca/~bwalker/RCAF_forts_detailed.html), I think I have your aircraft: Fortress III serial 9203 Ex USAAF B-15F-45-VE, serial number 42-6101. Ordered on Purchase Order CA 000115. Taken on strength on 6 December 1943. Used by No. 168 Heavy Transport Squadron, Rockcliffe, for mail flights to Europe and Africa. Lost at sea between Morocco and Azores with 5 crew and 3 passengers, only a few mail bags ever found. Struck off 7 June 1945, having been lost since 15 December 1944. |
#4
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Re: B-17 aircraft lost en route to the USA
Thanks Guys - I was thinking he was listed as a member of 168 Sqn RAF - which flew Typoons etc in NW Europe - when I knew that the pilot was an exceptional pilot with multi-engined experience with Bomber Command, Telecommunications Flying Unit and 138 SD Sqn. So it stands to reason that he would have gone to a Transport Sqn in the RCAF.
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Larry Hayward |
#5
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Re: B-17 aircraft lost en route to the USA
I think this Fortress was in a collison with another aircraft.......
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#6
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Re: B-17 aircraft lost en route to the USA
Paul,
Do you mean with another B-17 from 168 Sqn RCAF?
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Larry Hayward |
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