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SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:56 pm
by Steve Birdsall
Image

Nancy was assigned to Major General Clements McMullen, commander, Far East Air Services Command and was named for his wife.

General McMullen didn't get to the Southwest Pacific until October 1944 meaning this could be one of the 54th Troop Carrier Wing’s armed transports in yet another incarnation.

Does anyone know the serial number of this B-17E or have other photos of it or information about it?

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:18 pm
by jmkendall
Could it have been 41-2477? Note this picture taken in the Phillipeans in 1945. I don't honestly know if that is a B-17 or not, but thought I would throw it out for the experts. Question; does anyone remember the serial number of the B-17E that was set aside for the Air Force museum and was scrapped at DM to make way for the B-29s?
genmcmullen.jpg
And note that he appears to sill have a B-17 when he takes command of the 8th AF in Ft Worth.
genmcmullenttakingcomand8thaffrworth.jpg

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:48 pm
by Steve Birdsall
Thanks Joe. but I believe that's 44-83477, Kenney's B-17G (the successor to Sally), in the background.

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 11:42 am
by varsity07840
jmkendall wrote:Could it have been 41-2477? Note this picture taken in the Phillipeans in 1945. I don't honestly know if that is a B-17 or not, but thought I would throw it out for the experts. Question; does anyone remember the serial number of the B-17E that was set aside for the Air Force museum and was scrapped at DM to make way for the B-29s?
genmcmullen.jpg
And note that he appears to sill have a B-17 when he takes command of the 8th AF in Ft Worth.
genmcmullenttakingcomand8thaffrworth.jpg
It could be a B-17F with a replacement "E" nose piece. A few 5th AF models were so fitted. That may also account for the F style cheek window, although a few Es did receive that modification.

Duane

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 12:10 pm
by Steve Birdsall
No, it's a B-17E. You can tell by the propellers.

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:09 am
by varsity07840
Steve Birdsall wrote:No, it's a B-17E. You can tell by the propellers.
Missed that one! I stand corrrected.

Duane

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 2:20 am
by 05564
Steve Birdsall wrote:No, it's a B-17E. You can tell by the propellers.
OK, for us not in the know. What is the difference in the propellers?

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 4:37 am
by DryMartini
05564 wrote:OK, for us not in the know. What is the difference in the propellers?

The B-17F and B-17G had wide chord, "Paddle Blade" propellers.
The ones in the photo are the narrow chord blades, sometimes called
"toothpick" props.

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 12:47 am
by Prumus99
Hi Steve,

I think this is a photo of "Nancy" that I have in my collection, but the nose art isn't seen in my photo.


Alan

Image

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 2:13 am
by 05564
DryMartini wrote:
05564 wrote:OK, for us not in the know. What is the difference in the propellers?

The B-17F and B-17G had wide chord, "Paddle Blade" propellers.
The ones in the photo are the narrow chord blades, sometimes called
"toothpick" props.
Thanks, the things you learn on here are AMAZING! :D :D

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 11:23 am
by OldBillB17F
Prumus99 wrote:Hi Steve,

I think this is a photo of "Nancy" that I have in my collection, but the nose art isn't seen in my photo.


Alan

Image

Hmmm...definitely looks similar, though the paddle-blade prop conspiracy may kill this effort too. It also appears that Nancy has an anti-glare paint application on top of the nose compartment, which this photo does not depict.

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 4:19 pm
by Steve Birdsall
Thanks Alan, that's another piece of this puzzle but I'm not quite sure where it fits!

Re: SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:25 am
by Steve Birdsall
Image

A process of elimination leads me to believe that Nancy is almost certainly 41-2417, previously Monkey Bizz-Ness in the 43rd Bomb Group. I know that there was a stripped-down "silver" B-17E with just the numbers 417 on the tail, but I need to find a good photo or two to close the case.