401st Bomb Group (H) Association
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jacob wall
3/8/2002 2:02:21 PM
An old photograph has recently surfaced of a B17.
This airplane is on a hard-stand at Chelvesten and bears the following vague ID.
It carries the 401st tail emblem with the letter J beneath and the barely visible numbers, 48825. on the right side it bears the letters WF.
The Fortress is devoud of a top turret and has what appears to be a radar dome in the ball position.
Any help with identification would be most welcome.
regards, Jacob Wall  
David Pearce
3/9/2002 10:14:49 AM
According to the book by Roger Freeman 'The B-17
Flying Fortress Story' this a/c belonged to the 615th
Bomb Squadron and carried the identification letters
IY-J.

The a/c was transferred to the 305th on 20.05.45.

The a/c was salvaged by the 9th airforce in Germany, 03.07.46.

I hope this has been of help to you.


Regards

Dave Pearce
jacob wall
3/9/2002 3:12:46 PM
Many thanks David for your prompt and helpfull reply, have you any idea who flew it out of or from Deenethorpe and what it was used for during its time at Chelveston. If you would like to reply direct my 'e' mail is jacob@akdamar.freeserve.co.uk.
Thank you again, regards, Jacob.
Scott McElvain
6/9/2002 10:46:11 PM
48825 was the second newest known B-17 to get to the 401st according to the booklet "Bits and Pieces" on B-17s of the 1st Air Division.  It was in the 615th (IY squadron designator).  It was added to the inventory 1/5/45, assigned overseas 2/13/45, gained by the unit 2/20/45, at AF Alconbury 3/9/45, regained by the unit 3/12/45, assigned to the 305th 5/20/45, and salvaged at 9thAF 7/3/46.