|
|
|
| Fall 1999: These three photos were shot at the two major wreckage areas located. The wing section consists of the entire left wing, the center section, and about two-thirds of the right wing. The wing was reportedly found by the 1941 search team wedged vertically in some trees. The other photos show the remains of the rear fuselage from the radio compartment aft and contains the right horizontal stabilizer. Note also the Air Corps insignia still visible on the crushed fuselage. Of the nine man crew, eight managed to escape by parachute with the pilot the only crewman unable to get out in time. The area of wreck is a several miles off a local road in fairly rugged terrain with thick brush and rocks interspersed with wooded areas. There are few B-17C parts to be found anywhere in the world. (Photos by Scott Thompson) |
|
Excerpt from the Sacramento Bee, November 3, 1941:
"Eight army airmen from a B-17-E (sic) bomber, which broke apart in midair over the rugged Desolation Valley area of the high Sierra, were safe today, while one, Second Lieutenant L.M.H. Walker, is missing The plane went to pieces shortly before noon yesterday while bucking a storm. Ground crews this morning found wreckage of the ship scattered over fifty acres. The accident happened near Tell's Peak on the border of the Desolation Valley Primitive Area, thirty seven miles east of Georgetown." |