Hi do you have the serial number for this bird? Any names Nick name will help, i am sure. Times dates or bases or waht ever you can think of that would help a researcher.
It will not be the first time we dig stuff up.
Dead mans hand:
Boeing B-17G-5-BO 42-31188
Delivered Cheyenne 30/9/43; Harvard 16/10/43; Assigned 709BS/447BG Rattlesden 21/11/43; Missing in Action Pirna (111m)19/4/45 with Bob Glazener, Ray Fortier, Ernie Purcifull, Seb Bucceri, Hobart Jarvis, Theo Ciernier, no wg ?, Jim Burton (7 Prisoner of War); Harry Cramer (Killed in Action); jet enemy aircraft, crashed Dresden, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 14180. DEAD MAN'S HAND.(Last heavy bomber lost to enemy aircraft).
One of the 447th's "Century Ships", Dead Man's Hand is credited with 111 combat missions, and on its final mission had the sad distinction of being the last combat loss for the 447th and the last 8th Air Force heavy lost to German fighters in the War.
media-15757.jpeg | American Air Museum
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