B-17 41-2451. Minor Mystery

[jmkendall]

So I'm surfing and I find this notation on Bauger's site that 41-2451 was a 7th BG survivor that somehow survived the war and was used in the repair of 44-83814. Supposedly the center fuselage and wing center sections were used in the repair.

Any truth in this? And if so does this make 44-83814 more E than G? More Combat veteran than Stateside trainer?

[Steve Birdsall]

This was one of the B-17Es that went to the Canal Zone, returned to the U.S. in July 1944 and was at Altus, Oklahoma in August 1945. I don't see a 7th Bomb Group connection.

[jmkendall]

Thanks Mr Birdsall,

That at least answers part of it. The 7th BG connection was on Bauger's site. For what it's worth, he list at least one other "E" that had been with FEAF before being sent to the CZ.

[Steve Birdsall]

It's an understandably confusing period . . . almost all of the early B-17Es were initially sent from Seattle to Fort Douglas and the 7th Bomb Group. According to Boeing records, 1/Lt R, M. McGlinn took delivery on 41-2451 on 10 December 1941.

[Steve Birdsall]

They wasted no time getting 41-2451 to Central America - it was involved in an accident at Rio Hato on 27 December 1941. It was repaired and returned to service.

I'm sure that someone more familiar with these early movements could explain what role the 7th Bomb Group played in all this - in my earlier post I should have said that I saw no 7th Bomb Group overseas combat connection.