487th Bomb Group (H) Aircraft (Updated 10/27/2008)
| Aircraft Name |
Aircraft Type |
Aircraft Number |
Aircraft Squadron |
Aircraft Notes |
| 10 Eggs In A Crate | B-24 | 42-52578 | 836 | In original deployment |
| 41-28813 | B-24 | 41-28813 | 837 | In original deployment |
| 41-28822 | B-24H | 41-28822 | 836 | In original deployment, Shot down 23-Jun-44, Flak hit, aircraft disintegrated mid-air |
| 41-29468 | B-24H | 41-29468 | 838 | 11-May-44, crippled by flak at Chateaudun. All of crew bailed out. The aircraft crashed at Bretoncelles (German report) or Coulonges-les-Sablons (Col. Lay). These places are close together, 44km W. of Chartres, France. (MACR 4750) |
| 41-29469 | B-24 | 41-29469 | 838 | In original deployment |
| 41-29478 | B-24 | 41-29478 | 837 | In original deployment |
| 41-29481 | B-24 | 41-29481 | 837 | In original deployment |
| 41-29482 | B-24 | 41-29482 | 839 | In original deployment |
| 41-29483 | B-24 | 41-29483 | 838 | In original deployment, flown overseas by Balfrey crew. Appears to have been almost immediately reassigned to 445th Bomb Group, 701st Squadron in Tibenham |
| 41-29514 | B-24 | 41-29514 | 839 | In original deployment |
| 41-29520 | B-24 | 41-29520 | 836 | In original deployment |
| 41-29523 | B-24 | 41-29523 | 837 | In original deployment |
| 41-29527 | B-24 | 41-29527 | 837 | In original deployment |
| 42-51197 | B-24H | 42-51197 | 839 | 20-July-44, Crashed after mid-air collision while on practice mission |
| 42-52182 | B-24 | 42-52182 | 837 | May have been one of Casey crew/planes |
| 42-52431 | B-24 | 42-52431 | 836 | In original deployment |
| 42-52577 | B-24H | 42-52577 | 838 | 29-May-44, attacked by fighters Shot down |
| 42-52581 | B-24 | 42-52581 | 838 | 17-Jul-44 Crashed on approach at Lavenham, aircraft had battle damage. Two were killed and seven wounded. |
| 42-52591 | B-24H | 42-52591 | 839 | In original deployment - 11-May-44, the B-24 was damaged by flak and the crew nursed it back to southern England where the condition of the plane deteriorated to the point where the crew had to bail out. The ship was set on a course for the Channel before parachuting, but it made a 180 degree turn and crashed in the town of Chicester. |
| 42-52619 | B-24 | 42-52619 | 838 | In original deployment |
| 42-52656 | B-24 | 42-52656 | 837 | In original deployment |
| 42-52708 | B-24 | 42-52708 | 836 | In original deployment |
| 42-52743 | B-24H | 42-52743 | 837 | In original deployment - 20-May-44, Blew up shortly after take-off, crashed at Long Melford, Suffolk |
| 42-52746 | B-24 | 42-52746 | 838 | In original deployment |
| 42-52761 | B-24 | 42-52761 | 836 | In original deployment |
| 42-52763 | B-24H | 42-52763 | 838 | In original deployment - 11-May-44, hit by flak. No. 3 engine burning fiercely. Peeled off to the right. When 2 engines out, dove down, salvoed bombs and made a crash landing at Orgeres 25 km ENE of Chateaudun. (MACR 4783) |
| 42-52766 | B-24 | 42-52766 | 836 | In original deployment |
| 42-52767 | B-24 | 42-52767 | 836 | In original deployment |
| 42-52771 | B-24 | 42-52771 | 838 | In original deployment, possibly named Rough Riders |
| 42-54624 | B-24 | 42-54624 | 839 | In original deployment |
| 42-95217 | B-24H | 42-95217 | 838 | Shot down 20-Jun-33, immediately after bombing, direct flak hit tore off tail |
| 42-97270 | B-17G | 42-97270 | 838 | 22-May-45 Transferred to 487th from 379th BG "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 42-97398 | B-17G | 42-97398 | 836 | 4-Apr-44 Transferred to 487th from 91st BG "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 31-Dec-44 - Nothing was heard from this crew apparently crashed in sea. |
| 42-97969 | B-17G | 42-97969 | 839 | 27-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 42-97996 | B-17G | 42-97996 |
| 30-Jun-44 Assigned to 487th 17-Mar-45 battle damage, crash landed Rudnicke Poland "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 42-97997 | B-17 | 42-97997 | 837 | 4-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 25-Nov-44 - Flak damage to controls. The B-17 returned from the mission with serious flak damage to the controls. It proved to be impossible to land it, so the pilot attempted to head out to the North Sea. All his crew members bailed out near Framlingham, Suffolk. When the pilot would leave the B-17 went out of control suddenly and dived into the ground, the pilot perishing in the crash. |
| 42-98001 | B-17G | 42-98001 | 838 | 10-Apr-45 Transferred to 487th from 486th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 42-98013 | B-17G | 42-98013 | 838 | 30-Jun-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 14-Jan-45, Either collided with German fighter, or other B-17 43-37933 of 487th. A German report states it collided with a German fighter. After bombing and the collision the B-17 peeled off in NW direction. It went into a spin and exploded in mid-air. |
| 42-98014 | B-17 | 42-98014 | 836 | 2-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 3-Feb-45 Aircraft developed engine trouble after bombing and was escorted back by fighters. When over the North Sea all engines went out and Pilot ditched about 15 miles west of Frisian Islands. All crew except waist gunner Sgt. Robert Young (MIA) rescued. |
| 42-98020 | B-17 | 42-98020 |
| 2-Aug-44 Assigned to 487th, scrapped 31-Aug-44 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-37569 | B-17G | 43-37569 | 836 | 30-May-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 24-Dec-1944, Fighters shot away rudder control, #2 engine on fire as well as another. (papers at 8th Museum say Crashed near Hods, MACR 11559) - According to Harold Sperber (navigator) plane exploded into 2 pieces, blowing him free of aircraft |
| 43-37805 | B-17G | 43-37805 | 837 | 28-Jun-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 6-Aug-44, Berlin, Germany, Flak hit engine #2, prop flew off. Lost altitude rapidly, and crew bailed out. |
| 43-37840 | B-17G | 43-37840 | 836 | 20-July-44, Crashed after mid-air collision while on practice mission, may have been assigned to 486th Bomb Group, but was being flown by 487th crew (pilot Stults) this day |
| 43-37858 | B-17G | 43-37858 | 838 | 2-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 5-Nov-44, Hit by flak over target. Peeled off with no 3 and 4 engines smoking and lost + 3000 ft. altitude. Pilot asked for escort to reach allied lines. The crew later bailed out. The aircraft crashed and burned near Wittlich, 30 km NE or Trier, Germany. |
| 43-37867 | B-17G | 43-37867 | 836 | 29-Jun-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-37877 | B-17G | 43-37877 | 836 | 4-Jul-44 Transferred to 487th from 379th BG "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 30-Nov-44 - Presumed flak hit. Left formation over target and spun down just after bombing at 1314 GMT. |
| 43-37897 | B-17G | 43-37897 | 838 | 29-Jun-44 Assigned to 487th 2-Mar-45 battle damage Dresden forced landing Russia "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-37911 | B-17G | 43-37911 | 836 | 29-Jun-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-37918 | B-17G | 43-37918 | 839 | 2-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Information from James Meta-ball turret gunner on aircraft-sent to 'boneyard' after the war |
| 43-37948 | B-17G | 43-37948 | 837 | 9-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th 27-Oct-44 transferred to 486th BG "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-37968 | B-17G | 43-37968 | 837 | 8-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th 27-Oct-44 transferred to 486BG "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-37970 | B-17G | 43-37970 | 838 | 11-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-37975 | B-17G | 43-37975 | 839 | 8-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-37979 | B-17G | 43-37979 | 838 | 11-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 24-Dec-44, Aircraft abandoned by Crew over France or Belgium - Crew safe |
| 43-37980 | B-17G | 43-37980 | 839 | 8-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 25-Aug-44, direct flak hit over target, immediately exploded in air after bombs away. Two crew members blown clear by explosion. |
| 43-37989 | B-17G | 43-37989 | 837 | 11-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th 25-Aug-44 Battle damage Rechlen, scrapped "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-37991 | B-17G | 43-37991 |
| 8-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-37999 | B-17G | 43-37999 | 837 | 14-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th 10-Apr-45 battle damage Brandenburg, forced landing Continent, scrapped "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38001 | B-17G | 43-38001 | 836 | 10-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th, 27-Oct-44 transferred to 486th BG "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38008 | B-17G | 43-38008 | 839 | 11-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 15-Oct-44, Hit by Flak and no 2 engine on file. When no 1 and 4 had to be feathered crew bailed out. The B-17 spun down in flames and crashed in Rieserhof near the village Schnellenbach at the railway to Overath, approx 22km east of Cologne. |
| 43-38015 | B-17G | 43-38015 | 838 | 14-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th 15-Feb-45 battle damage, forced landing Continent, scrapped "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38022 | B-17G | 43-38022 | 836 | 12-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th 22-Jan-45 Taxi accident, scrapped "B-17 Flying Fortress Story", Pictured in "The Mighty Eight War Diary" by Roger Freeman, page 443 |
| 43-38033 | B-17G | 43-38033 | 838 | 5-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th 9-Feb-44 Battle damage, forced landing Rennes France, scrapped "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38038 | B-17G | 43-38038 | 838 | 12-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 19-Mar-45, On return from mission, collided with B-17G 43-37969 (from 487th) over Allied territory and crashed near Couvron, France. All on crew killed. |
| 43-38141 | B-17G | 43-38141 | 839 | 17-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 26-Nov-44 - The B-17 fell back just before the target, doors open but it is not believed that the bombs were dropped. A fire in the bomb pay was seen. German reports, attached to the MACR, say the aircraft went down in Holland and the prisoners were collected on Gutersloh Airfield, Germany; the POW's came from the Krefeld area. |
| 43-38163 | B-17G | 43-38163 | 838 | 18-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38278 | B-17G | 43-38278 | 839 | Photo, page 210 de Jong "The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H)"; "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" states "assigned 838BS/487BG Lavenham 9-Aug-44, transfer 885BS/493BG 10-Aug-44" part of this second comment seems in error, given photo evidence in de Jong book |
| 43-38521 | B-17G | 43-38521 | 836 | 21-Jan-45 Transferred to 487th from 390th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38589 | B-17G | 43-38589 | 838 | 28-Sep-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38596 | B-17G | 43-38596 | 837 | 20-Feb-45 - hit by flak in the bomb bay just after bombing. Control cables were broken and the aircraft exploded after 30 seconds. Crashed 20 miles S. of Nurnberg, Germany. No German reports on crash-site and burials. |
| 43-38654 | B-17G | 43-38654 | 836 | 22-May-45 Transferred to 487th from 379th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story", returned to US by Hauenstein crew |
| 43-38704 | B-17G | 43-38704 | 836 | 22-May-45 Transferred to 487th from 379th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38708 | B-17G | 43-38708 | 836 | 17-Oct-44 Assigned to 487th, 4-Nov-44 transferred to 398th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38776 | B-17G | 43-38776 | 836 | Ray McGowan mentions being assigned this aircraft. It appears to have been assigned to 95thBG |
| 43-38793 | B-17G | 43-38793 | 837 | 30-Nov-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38809 | B-17G | 43-38809 | 836 | 19-Feb-45 assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story: |
| 43-38816 | B-17G | 43-38816 | 836 | 12-Oct-44 transferred to 487th from 305th, 12-Jan-45 battle damaged, forced landing continent, 21-Jan-45 salvaged "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38888 | B-17G | 43-38888 | 839 | 30-Nov-44 assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story", plane was originally with 838th squadron, then assigned to 839th squadron (per Mike Quering). 11-Mar-45-shot down over Ronneburg / Hamburg. Crashed on the West side of Autobahn from Hamburg to Luneburg. Control was lost, presumably due to flak barrage. All crew KIA |
| 43-38952 | B-17G | 43-38952 | 839 | 30-Dec-44 Assigned to group "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38956 | B-17G | 43-38956 |
| 28-Oct-44 Assigned to 487th, 30-Jan-45 salvaged non-battle damage "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-38969 | B-17G | 43-38969 | 836 | 19-Nov-44 Assigned to 487th, 20-Dec-44 Transferred to 92BG "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-39049 | B-17G | 43-39049 | 839 | 13-Apr-45 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-39068 | B-17G | 43-39068 | 838 | 6-Dec-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 8-Jan-45 - Crash-landed at St. Margarets, Kent - crew safe-pilot by Capt. Frank Casey |
| 43-39099 | B-17G | 43-39099 | 838 | 13-Apr-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-39108 | B-17G | 43-39108 | 839 | 19-Dec-44 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Shot down 3-Mar-45, Brunswick |
| 43-39126 | B-17G | 43-39126 | 838 | 7-Mar-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story", Crash landed St. Trond Belgium 7-Apr-45 after being rammed by German fighter |
| 43-39165 | B-17G | 43-39165 | 836 | 22-May-45 Transferred to 487th from 379 BG "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-39234 | B-17G | 43-39234 | 838 | 3-Mar-45 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 43-39397 | B-17G | 43-39397 | 838 | 25-Mar-45 Assigned to 8AF "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-6290 | B-17G | 44-6290 | 836 | 8-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Shot down 9-Nov-44, Direct flak hit, Eng #3 enveloped in flame and fire in nose at 10,000 ft. Went down seemingly out of control vertically and blew up. Most of crew blown out in explosion. |
| 44-6299 | B-17G | 44-6299 | 836 | 14-Aug-44 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 2-Feb-45 (or 6-Feb-45) Evidently lost in sea off south coast crew bailed out over land and survived. Per Tony Honeyman. |
| 44-6302 | B-17G | 44-6302 | 839 | 12-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th , transferred to 486 BG 27-Oct-44 "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-6305 | B-17G | 44-6305 | 838 | 12-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Crashed 12-Sep-44, Lost one engine between Bremen & Hamburg, fell behind in formation. Lost another 2 engines, crew bailed out. Pilot presumed to have bailed out too low and was killed. |
| 44-6463 | B-17G | 44-6463 | 839 | 5-Oct-44 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Shot down 28-Sep-44, Hit by flak, abandoned by crew and crashed near Naherstille. |
| 44-6468 | B-17G | 44-6468 | 838 | 27-Sep-44 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story". Evidently involved in night landing incident on 3-Jan-45 where right wing tip clipped tree, but later landed safely. |
| 44-6507 | B-17G | 44-6507 | 837 | 13-Sep-44 Assigned to 487th, transferred to 379BG 24-Sep-44, "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-6570 | B-17G | 44-6570 | 836 | 15-Oct-44 Assigned to 487th, caught fire on take off for Hannover 14-Mar-45, crashed Grov Fm, Pakefield UK, 2KIA, 8 baled |
| 44-6609 | B-17G | 44-6609 |
| 11-Oct-44 Assigned to 487th , battle damaged 17-Feb-45 |
| 44-6845 | B-17G | 44-6845 | 838 | 5-Feb-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-6924 | B-17G | 44-6924 | 836 | 8-Feb-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8021 | B-17G | 44-8021 | 839 | 30-Oct-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8023 | B-17G | 44-8023 | 837 | 28-Oct-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8037 | B-17G | 44-8037 | 838 | 28-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th, transferred to 94BG 29-May-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8039 | B-17G | 44-8039 | 836 | 2-Aug-44 Assigned to 836th Squadron, later to 837th Squadron, transferred to 94BG 29-May-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8121 | B-17G | 44-8121 | 836 | 24-Dec-44 Attacked by fighters, when right wing on fire all bailed out. The B-17 crashed 1/2 mile NW of Esneux, Belgium -- Assigned to group 10-Aug-44 |
| 44-8149 | B-17G | 44-8149 | 839 | 29-Oct-44 Assigned to 487th, transferred to 94BG 29-May-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8180 | B-17G | 44-8180 | 837 | 28-Oct-44 Assigned to 487th, transferred to 94BG 29-May-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8276 | B-17G | 44-8276 | 837 | 5-Sep-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 18-Mar-45-hit by flak 30 seconds before bombing. Two engines were lost. The bombs were jettisoned and the pilot headed for Poland, but the crew had to bail out at 10,000 ft. and landed in the area of Landsberg (Gorzow) and Massin (Mosina), Poland. Russian fighters strafed the airmen in descent and apparently killed two. The B-17 crashed in that vicinity.
Aircraft may have been named 'Cubby' as copilot Leon listed as flying 'Cubby' |
| 44-8307 | B-17G | 44-8307 | 838 | 28-Oct-44Transferred to 487th from 92BG , salvage to 9AF 10-May-46 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8312 | B-17G | 44-8312 | 836 | 20-Feb-45 Transferred to 487th from 493rd "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-83278 | B-17G | 44-83278 | 837 | 487th book, color photo, assigned 487th 12-Apr-45 according to "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8333 | B-17G | 44-8333 | 837 | 9-Sep-44 Assigned to 487th, crashed on takeoff for Munster 22-Oct-44, scrapped "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-83397 | B-17G | 44-83397 | 838 | 15-Apr-45 Last aircraft assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8456 | B-17G | 44-8456 | 837 | 5-Jan-45 Assigned to 487th, transferred to 94BG 22-May-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8547 | B-17G | 44-8547 | 836 | 2-Jan-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 8-Apr-45 Mission to Plauen, aircraft received a direct flak hit near the right wing over the target about 1 minute after bombing. It went into a dive, fire spreading along the wing into the engines and exploded. Crashed NW of Hof. MACR #13742 |
| 44-8563 | B-17G | 44-8563 | 838 | 30-Dec-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 14-Jan-45, Shot down by German fighters before the target. When most of the crew had bailed out, the B-17 blew up in mid-air and crashed at Gutenpaaren, 15 km NE of Brandenburg, Germany--Assigned to 487th 30-Dec-44 |
| 44-8569 | B-17G | 44-8569 | 839 | Found info at 2003 reunion, also, in Freeman book "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" it states assigned 839BS/487BG (R5-P) Lavenham 8-Feb-45 |
| 44-8606 | B-17G | 44-8609 | 836 | 1-Feb-45 Assigned to 487th, battle damage 6-Feb-45 Chemitz, crash landed hit truck, scrapped "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8609 | B-17G | 44-8609 | 836 | 9-Feb-45 Transferred to 487th from 96BG "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8611 | B-17G | 44-8611 | 836 | 2-Jan-45Assigned to 487th, taxi accident 21-Jan-45, scrapped 22-Jan-45, "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8614 | B-17G | 44-8614 | 836 | 8-Dec-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 24-Dec-1944 - After fighter attacks at 22,000 ft. the B-17 peeled off and went into a spin with wing on fire and loosing altitude. Crashed in the vicinity of Spa, Belgium. Two bodies were found in wreckage.--Assigned to 487th 8-Dec-44 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8641 | B-17G | 44-8641 | 839 | 7-Mar-45,Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8645 | B-17G | 44-8645 | 838 | 30-Dec-44 Transferred to 487th from 34BG, battle damage 13-Jan-45, mid air coll 15-Jan-45 with 44-8529 scrapped "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8672 | B-17G | 44-8672 | 838 | 20-Jan-45 Assigned to 487th, taxi accident and caught fire 18-Feb-45, scrapped 20-Feb-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Pictured in "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" by Roger Freeman, page 443 |
| 44-8674 | B-17G | 44-8674 | 836 | 20-Feb-45 Assigned to 487th, battle damage 15-Mar-45 Oranienburg, forced landing 22-Mar-45 Poznan Pol, scrapped 22-Mar-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8746 | B-17G | 44-8746 | 837 | 15-Mar-45 Direct flak hit over Wittenberg, Germany, blew off the nose of the B-17. It made a 180 degree turn to the right, two engines smoking and losing altitude rapidly. Although it was seemingly under control, a nearby aircraft reported that everything forward of ball turret seemed to have been wiped out. It was last observed turning down. Interphone was knocked out. No German reports in MACR about exact crash-site and burials. Assigned to 487th 20-Feb-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8766 | B-17G | 44-8766 | 836 | 8-Jan-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8808 | B-17G | 44-8808 | 837 | 9-Mar-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 10-Apr-1945, hit by fighters (jets) and a fire developed in the cockpit. Most of the crew bailed out, but two airmen were overcome by the fire and went down in the plane which crashed 5-6 miles west of Gardelegen, Germany. MACR 14196--Assigned to 487th 9-Mar-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8843 | B-17G | 44-8843 | 836 | 19-Apr-45 Transferred to 487th from 398BG, transferred to 2BG 29-May-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8859 | B-17G | 44-8859 | 838 | 16-Mar-4 Assigned to 487th - transferred 15AF 29-May-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8878 | B-17G | 44-8878 | 836 | 16-Mar-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8913 | B-17G | 44-8913 | 837 | Departed the US on 25 Mar 1945 and was assigned to the Eighth Air Force. It was dropped from inventory as salvage due to non-battle damage on 10 Apr 1945 - Information from Air Force Historical Research Agency supplied by Leigh Taylor |
| 44-8922 | B-17G | 44-8922 | 838 | 30-Mar-45 Assigned to 487th Caught fire 14-Apr-45, scrapped 22-May-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 44-8926 | B-17G | 44-8926 |
| 23-Apr-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| 607 |
| 607 |
| William Ballard pilot "Plane had 607 in tail number" |
| Alice | B-17 |
|
|
|
| Allergic to Combat | B-17 |
|
|
|
| Aluminum Overcast | B-17G | 44-8740 | 837 | 3-Mar-45 Assigned to 487th (Also assigned to 838BS) "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Banshee | B-17G |
| 839 | Pictured in book "The History of the 487th Bomb Group", page 153 |
| Bashful Bessie | B-17G | 43-38039 | 838 | 16-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Bashful Marion | B-24 | 42-52652 | 838 | In original deployment |
| Beelzebub's Babe | B-24 | 41-29488 | 839 | In original deployment |
| Beverly Jean | B-17G | 43-37969 | 836 | 11-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 19-Mar-45, collided with B-17G 43-38038 on return from mission, crashed in vicinity of Couvron, France. Crew bailed out, all safe. Aircraft named after Pilot Richards daughter |
| Big Ast Bird |
|
|
|
|
| Big Drip | B-24 | 41-29524 | 839 | In original deployment, may have been briefly assigned to 493rd BG before assignment in Aug 44 to 446th BG |
| Big Drip, Jr. (The) | B-17G | 43-37974 | 839 | 14-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Black Widow |
|
|
|
|
| Blasted Event | B-24 | 41-29487 | 837 | In original deployment |
| Blasted Event | B-24 | 42-95334 | 837 | Replacement aircraft |
| Blonde Bomber | B-17G | 44-6307 | 837 | 14-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Shot down 25-Nov-44, Abandoned by crew on return due to battle damage. |
| Blow Job | B-24 |
| 838 |
|
| Bonnie Lassie | B-17G | 43-38598 | 839 | 6-Oct-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" - Crewed by Ellis crew, information from Gerald Obrecht (My guess that the aircraft number is 43-38598, Gerald remembers calling it 8598) |
| Box Car | B-24H | 42-52624 | 839 | Shot down 7-Jun-44, direct flak hit, exploded |
| Buzz Tail | B-24 | 41-29553 | 837 | In original deployment - destroyed in crash 10-June-44 |
| Buzzin Bastard | B-24H |
| 836 | Overshot taxiway, springing fuselage. Later used for spare parts. |
| Buzzin' Betsie | B-24 | 42-52620 | 837 | In original deployment, transferred from USAAF stocks to RAF (possibly when group shifted to B-17 operations) |
| Caldonia | B-17G |
| 836 |
|
| Caledonia | B-17G | 42-98011 | 838 | 3-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Carry Me Back | B-17G | 43-39045 | 838 | 2-Jan-45 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Caught in the Draft |
|
|
|
|
| Cherchez la Femme | B-17G |
|
| Name supplied by Guy Sandusky, Orval Sandusky's son |
| Chief Wapello | B-24 | 42-52618 | 839 | In original deployment |
| Classy Chassy | B-24J | 42-95198 | 838 | Assigned to Pete Riegel, after loss of 'Starduster' - Transferred to 446th when 487th moved to B-17's |
| Cold Turkey | B-24 | 42-52452 | 836 | In original deployment |
| Cover Girl |
|
|
|
|
| Cubby |
|
| 837 |
|
| D-Day Deb | B-24J |
|
| Mentioned by Jerry Ogle - his Dad crewed on her |
| Dinah-mite | B-17G | 44-8694 | 839 | 2-Feb-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| DNIF Annie | B-24 | 42-52588 | 839 | In original deployment |
| Dreamboat | B-24 | 42-52657 | 836 | In original deployment |
| Elliot's Idiots | B-17G | 43-38030 | 836 | Identified as B-17 and tail number by Roger Broadbent |
| Enchanted Vagabond |
|
|
|
|
| Fearless Fosdick | B-17G | 44-6315 | 837 | Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft, Long Beach CA and delivered to the USAAF on 29 Jun 1944. It went to Kearney AAF NE and departed the US on 13 Jul 1944. It was assigned to the Eighth Air Force. (14-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th according to "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story") On 22 Sep 1944, it was dropped from inventory as missing in action, but was repaired and re-entered service on 31 Oct 1944. It returned to the US on 10 Jul 1945 and was placed in storage at Independence AAF KS. It was declared excess on 25 Oct 1945 and sent to Kingman AZ, where it was scrapped on 16 Dec 1945 - Information from Air Force Historical Research Agency supplied by Leigh Taylor |
| Fime Sientz | B-17G | 43-38260 | 837 | 9-Aug-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 22-Sep-44-Aircraft was hit by flak near Wiesbaden at 22,000 ft. Pilot attempted to return to Allied lines. No 4 engine was lost, no 3 partially, but when a fire developed in the outer wing tanks, crew bailed out. The B-17 crashed West of Seibersbach/Hunsruck, 15 km W of Bingen, Germany. |
| Flak Hack | B-17G | 42-102497 | 836 | 1-May-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 24-Dec-44, Attacked by fighters just after aircraft #444 of Genl. Castle aborted. No 3 engine hit and no 4 going out. Then attacked again. Last seen in Ardennes area. |
| Flak Happy Pappy | B-24 | 42-52666 | 838 | In original deployment, name/tail # tied together by Tom Brittan |
| Flutterbye | B-17G |
| 839 | Was there also a B-24 named Flutterbye? Information indicates the group may have had a B-24 with the same name. |
| Flutterbye | B-24 | 42-52640 | 839 | In original deployment - Name may be incorrect, as we have a photo of nose art on B-17 named Flutterbye |
| Fluxuatin Kate |
|
|
| B-17, maybe? |
| Fluxuatin Kate | B-24 | 42-52622 | 839 | In original deployment, 2 planes same name? 24 & 17? |
| Forever Amber | B-17G | 44-8702 | 836 | 20-Feb-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 10-Apr-45, Canon shells of Me262 ripped into tail, perforating the vertical stabilizer and inboard right wing panel. Fire in No 3 engine, flames swept back to the tail. Peeled off shortly afterwards and dropped behind. Crew bailed out at RP, 7 miles West of Elbe River. Later right wing came off. Exact crash site not recorded. MACR #13884 |
| Foxy Phoebe | B-24 | 41-29257 | 837 | Or Foxie Phoebe? |
| Gashouse Gus | B-24 | 41-29476 | 839 | In original deployment |
| Goin' Up Doc |
|
|
|
|
| Gravel Gertie | B-17G | 43-39188 | 839 | 3-Mar-45 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Green Hornet | B-24H | 42-52586 | 837 | In original deployment-Flew only 1 mission. Aircraft may have been damaged in Atlantic crossing, didn't seem to fly properly. On first mission lost engine, never was returned from maintenance, Mentioned by Jerry Ogle - his Dad crewed on her |
| Gus' Pup | B-17G | 43-38013 | 839 | 11-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Info from Pete Plumb & Walter Wise confirm aircraft # |
| Hades Lady | B-17G |
|
|
|
| Happy Warrior | B-17G | 43-38254 | 838 | 12-Aug-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story", flew through the end of the war |
| Hard to Find | B-24 | 42-50373 | 839 | Pictured in Mighty 8th War Diary (pg. 278) |
| Heavenly Body | B-17G | 43-38154 | 836 | 18-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 30-Sep-44 - When in sharp turn in heavy contrails ship 43-38037 of same squadron was presumed caught in prop wash, went over on its back and collided with #43-38154 of same squadron. Left wing (of #154) and left wing of #37 came off and both aircraft spun down. Crashed at Leopoldshohe-Kentrup, 9km E. of Bielefeld. |
| Hell 'n Gone | B17 |
|
|
|
| Hell's Belle |
|
|
|
|
| Hell's Bells Peggy | B-17G | 43-38003 | 839 | 11-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 15-Dec-44 Ditched 18 miles off Southwolk, UK all crew rescued |
| High Hopes | B-24 | 42-52692 | 839 | In original deployment |
| High Tailed Lady | B-17G | 43-38028 | 838 | 14-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 15-Mar-45, shot up in raid to Oranienburg, elected to attempt a crash landing in Poland which was in Russian hands. The crew made it down safely, but were 'liberated' by the Russians who treated them more like prisoners than allied airmen. Finally all but two, hospitalized, were released. |
| Hitler's Hearse | B-17G |
| 839 | Ray Avey pilot |
| Honorable Patches | B-17G | 42-97997 | 838 | Information from Kathleen Jennings White, daughter of William Jennings, gunner on this aircraft. |
| Jane & Sharon Ann | B-17G | 43-37997 | 837 | 8-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Judy |
|
|
|
|
| Just F/O 20% |
|
|
|
|
| Kelly | B-17 |
|
|
|
| Lazy Lady | B-24H | 42-52444 | 838 | In original deployment - 11-May-44, direct flak hit in flight deck at 11,000 ft., dove down and exploded in mid-air 3km E of Varize. After some time the bombload exploded. (MACR 4782) |
| Leacherous Lou | B-17G | 43-39173 | 838 | 19-Feb-45 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Shot down, hit by flak over Ruhland 17-Mar-45 MACR 13110 (Another aircraft in group carried same name?) |
| Lecherous Lou |
| 41-29487 |
|
|
| Liberty Belle | B-17G | 43-38037 | 836 | 13-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 30-Sep-44 - When in sharp turn in heavy contrails this B-17 was caught in prop wash (presumed), went over on its back and collided with #43-38154 of same squadron. Right wing (of #37) and left wing of #154 came off and both aircraft spun down. Crashed at Bexterhagen, 9km E. of Bielefeld. |
| Lindy Lou | B-17G | 44-8192 | 838 | 24-Dec-44 - 7 fighters attacked, nose and flight deck shot up. Left wing on fire, some crew bailed out, then aircraft blew up. -- Assigned to group 10-Sep-44 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Little Gert |
|
|
|
|
| Lumbering Liz |
|
|
|
|
| Luscious Lady |
|
|
|
|
| Mak's Mighty Midgets |
|
|
|
|
| Mean Widdle Kid | B-17G | 43-37987 | 839 | 15-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 10-Apr-1945, hit by flak, circled out of formation to the left, lost altitude with No. 2 engine windmilling, leveled off and exploded. Crashed in area Jerichow-Genthin, 30 km NW of Brandenburg. MACR #13883 |
| Memorial | B-17G | 44-8524 | 838 |
|
| Miss Bea Haa |
|
|
|
|
| Miss Bea Havin | B-17 | 43-37901 | 837 | 30-Jun-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Miss Happ |
|
|
|
|
| Miss Virginly | B-17G | 42-97970 | 837 | 28-Jun-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Mission Belle |
|
|
|
|
| Mountain Time | B-24 | 42-52736 | 836 | In original deployment, Name changed to "Honorable Patches" (15-Oct-44) after collecting extensive battle damage, However there was a B-17 referred to as "Honorable Patches", so were there 2 aircraft with the same name over the life of the group? |
| Murph's Mighty Mob | B-24H | 42-52609 | 836 | In original deployment - Shot down 2-Jul-44 hit by flak |
| Murph's Motley Mob | B-24H | 42-52646 | 837 | In original deployment |
| Mutzie "B" | B-17G | 42-98019 | 838 | 2-Aug-44 Assigned to 487th (indicates original assignment to 838th Squadron) "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 24-Dec-44 - #3 prop feathered, trouble developed in #2, then #1 blew up, returned to Belgian coast and all bailed out - 4 missing in North Sea. |
| My Baby |
|
|
|
|
| My Gal Ellen | B-17G | 43-37735 | 837 | 7-Jun-44 Assigned to 487th 29-Jun-45 transferred to 457BG "B-17 Flying Fortress Story", Some question about whether this tailnumber, Name are a match |
| My Homely Chum |
|
|
|
|
| Naughty Marietta | B-17G | 43-37923 | 837 | 3-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Notion N Motion | B-17G | 278 |
| Two aircraft in the group have tail numbers ending in "278", 43-38278 and 44-83278. Could Notion N Motion be one of these? |
| Nov Shmoz Ka Pop | B-17G | 44-8332 | 837 | 27-Sep-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Off Limits |
|
|
|
|
| Okmulgee Special | B-24 | 42-52461 | 839 | In original deployment, tail number and name possibly the same, as Roger Preston family indicates he flew on Okmulgee Special, and his orders show assigment to 42-52461 |
| Old Gray Gull | B-24 | 42-52748 | 837 | In original deployment |
| Old Repulsive | B-24 | 42-52636 | 836 | In original deployment |
| Ole Andy of Kansas | B-24 | 41-29528 | 838 | In original deployment |
| One Time | B-17G |
| 839 | Name supplied by Richard Rossi |
| Our Baby | B-17G | 43-38002 | 838 | 11-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 14-Jan-45 - Crashed into church at border of the village Rhode, 21 km east of Brunswick. All crew bailed out and survived, POW. Also pictured in book, 'Bomber Command' |
| Paddlefoot | B-17G | 43-38988 | 839 | 2-Jan-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 9-Feb-45 hit by flak just prior to bombing, lost about 1,000 ft. altitude per minute. Abandoned by the crew and crashed at Heringen, +- 6km SE of Nordhausen (Harz, Germany, or 60 km NW of the target, Weimar Germany |
| Passionate Witch |
|
|
|
|
| Patches | B-17G | 43-38893 | 836 | 5-Jan-45 assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Peg O' My Heart | B-17G |
| 838 |
|
| Picadilly Lilley | B-17G | 43-38044 | 837 | 14-Jul-44 Transferred to 487th from 91BG "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 6-Feb-45, All of crew bailed out on return. The B-17 crashed at Triptis, 20 km SW of Gera, Germany |
| Pleasure Bent | B-17G | 43-37981 | 838 | 8-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Problem Child | B-24 | 42-94756 | 839 | In original deployment, Lt. Col Lay's plane during original deployment flight overseas |
| Queen of Hearts | B-17G | 44-6913 | 837 | 5-Feb-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 10-Apr-1945, Just before the IP the B-17 started to lag behind, came up again but lost its proper position when the formation was attacked by Me262. Two large bursts hit the waist windows at both sides. The B-17 remained with the formation for some minutes, then turned off, losing altitude slowly. It was last observed at 1453h, position 5238-1128 which is east of Celle, Germany. MACR 13885. Some other source stated - Crashed near Kobbenitz |
| Rack 'em Back | B-24H | 41-29525 | 838 | In original deployment |
| Ready Betty | B-17G | 44-6835 | 839 | 22-May-45 Transferred to 487th from 379BG, returned to US (Bradley) 12-Jul-45 "B-17 Flying Fortress Story". Notes from pilot Wim Cooper family, this aircraft may have carried this name |
| Red Growler | B-24H | 42-52739 | 838 | Damaged by flak, ditched 30-May-44 |
| Reluctant Lady |
|
|
|
|
| Rhapsody in Rivets |
|
|
|
|
| Rough Riders |
|
|
| Name found in 100th Mission celebration program |
| Roxie Phoebe |
|
|
|
|
| Sack Rabbit | B-17G |
| 839 | Information on aircraft name from family of Joseph Bodio |
| Salty Dog | B-17G | 43-38045 | 839 | 14-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th, also "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" Pictured in 'Mighty Eighth War Manual' by Roger Freeman |
| Sammy's Niece | B-24H | 42-52625 | 836 | In original deployment |
| Satan's Lady | B-24 |
|
|
|
| Satchel Lass | B-24 | 42-52662 | 838 |
|
| Shoo Shoo Baby | B-24 | 42-52747 | 839 | In original deployment |
| Shoo Shoo Baby II | B-17G | 44-6302 | 839 |
|
| Silver Fox |
|
|
|
|
| Sky Master |
|
|
|
|
| Sky Princess | B-17G |
| 837 | Information from Thomas King's (pilot) daughter |
| Sleepless Knights | B-24 | 42-52653 | 836 | In original deployment |
| Sleepytime Gal | B-24 |
|
|
|
| Smokey Joe |
|
|
|
|
| Snake Bit | B-17G | 43-38042 | 839 | 14-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story", 23-Mar-45, nearly lost in midair where prop from a following aircraft, chewed into the rudder of the plane. Note: there is also evidence that the plane may have been named "Snake Bite" |
| Solid Sender |
|
|
| Name found in 100th Mission celebration program |
| Spirit of '76' | B-24 | 42-52776 | 839 | In original deployment |
| Stardust | B-17G | 43-39257 | 837 | 12-Apr-45 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story", Flown by Leonard Scales |
| Starduster | B-24H | 42-52651 | 838 | In original deployment - "Starduster" was presented to Pete Riegel's crew at Alamogordo. Purchased with War Bonds by the people of Franklin County, MO & approved by Gen. Arnold & others. - 28-May-44, became a straggler on return. The B-24 was abandoned by crew and crashed 1 km W of Xhoris, 21 km S. of Liege, Belgium. (MACR 5223) |
| Sweat Box | B-17G | 43-38169 | 836 | 18-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 29-Dec-44 - Crashed near Bitburg/Eifel, Germany |
| Sweatin' It Out | B-24H | 42-52629 | 838 | In original deployment - Shot down 6-June-44, downed in North Sea, entire crew missing |
| Sweet Seventeen | B-17 |
| 836 | Mentioned by Carrie Ceder Root - Her Dad served on this aircraft |
| Tailwind | B-24 | 42-52580 | 836 | In original deployment |
| Texas Rose |
|
|
|
|
| The Big Bad Wolf | B-24 | 41-29479 | 838 | Assigned crew 87-8-17 original deployment Special Orders 71 |
| The Black Widow | B-24 | 42-52769 | 837 | In original deployment |
| The Consolidated Mess | B-24 | 41-29535 | 839 | In original deployment (May have been named Dreamboat) |
| The Moldy Fig | B-17G | 43-38007 | 838 | 11-Jul-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 5-Aug-44, shot down Madeburg, Germany, flak hit on right wing and bomb bay minutes before bombing. Part of wing came off and aircraft exploded. |
| The Outlaw | B-17G | 43-39034 | 838 | 2-Jan-45 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| The Spook | B-24 | 42-52572 | 836 | In original deployment |
| The Tweachewous Wabbit | B-24 | 42-52425 | 837 | In original deployment |
| Tondelayo | B-24 |
|
| Not sure if part of 487th |
| Trade Winds | B-24 | 41-28837 | 837 | In original deployment |
| Treble Four | B-17G | 44-8444 | 836 | 11-Nov-44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortess Story" 24-Dec-1944, Shot down by fighters,Crashed near Hods, MACR #11552 |
| Tru Love | B-17G |
| 838 |
|
| Unfinished Business | B-17G | 43-39249 | 836 | 12-Apr-45 Assigned to 487th "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" |
| Unflakable | B-17 |
| 839 | Name provided by niece of George Mavredakis, who was a gunner on this aircraft. |
| Varga Girl | B-17G | 981 | 838 | # supplied by Wm Jennings daughter |
| Virgin Vampire | B-24 | 42-52745 | 838 | In original deployment |
| Weary Willy | B-17G | 43-38926 | 836 | 2-Dec-44 assigned to 487th, "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 24-Dec-44, FW190's attacked; the aircraft was riddled. With whole right wing aflame, as well as bomb bay, the B-17 fell off in spin and blew up. Crashed near Sprimont, 15 km due west of Bastogne. |
| Weary Wolf (The) | B-24 | 42-51182 | 837 |
|
| Winner Q Queen | B-17G |
| 836 |
|
| Woodies Woodpecker |
|
|
|
|
| Worry Bird |
| 991 | 836 |
|
| Yankee Dolla | B-24 | 42-52669 | 837 | In original deployment |
| Yankee Maid | B-17G | 43-37933 | 838 | 2-Jul 44 Assigned to 487th "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" 14-Jan-45 - Lost #4 engine dropped from formation. Immediately attacked by 6 Me109's. Six crew bailed out but pilot/co-pilot made belly landing. "B-17 Flying Fortress Story" indicates mid air with 42-98013 |
| Yankee Maid II | B-17G | 43-39347 | 837 |
|