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Picture of B-17 signed by crew

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:58 pm
by Judy
I have a great photo signed by the B-17 crew.

I can only identifiy the plane by the tail number, which is 25234........
I can make out the names of the tail gunner, the pilot and others but sure would like to now how to trace this plane, crew and the history.

Anyone out there have any ideas for me?

Thanks,
Judy

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 5:17 pm
by Craig59
Hi Judy,

The first number of the serial represents the last digit of the fiscal year in which the B-17 was purchased. In this case, 1942. That would make the full serial number 42-5234. Doing a simple Google search with that number resulted in the following website:
http://winjack3.com/wwII-42-5234.html

This B-17 was apparently delivered to the British for their use.

A search for B-17 serial numbers resulted in another site which shows this B-17 to be a Boeing built B-17F. B-17's were also manufactured under license to Boeing by Vega and Douglas during WWII to aide in the war effort.

Hope this information is both accurate and helpful.

B-17F-40-BO 42-5234

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 8:05 pm
by DryMartini
History from Freeman's book has:

Delivered to Cheyenne on Oct. 23, 1942
Transfered to Great Britain Dec 11, 1942
Served with the RAF - Number FA707
206 Squadron
220 Squadron
Crashed in the Azores July 26, 1944 and was salvaged.

Any clues from the picture? Are the guys wearing RAF gear?

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:22 am
by Judy
Thanks you guys! Now IF I can find where to locate any of the crew families..............SO the search begins, I'll follow the link posted and see what happens.

None of the crew is shown.........just the names signed.

You see I found this photo, rolled up and in a box in the basement of the first house we bought back in '75. I don't know how to find the family that owned that house. She left alot of stuff behind.
I had the photo framed for my late husband, who was a total history buff. It is a very large photo.

Guess I'll keep searching........

Thanks again,
Judy

PS..........I just looked at the link page...........Yes, that photo is almost exactly like the one I have except there is a mountain in the background.

You may want to look

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:48 am
by DryMartini

at
http://www.armyairforces.com

They have hints on doing research and have
very knowledgable guys that may be able to help out.