B-17 Stenciled marking question
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:06 pm
Hello folks. A couple of us have been doing research finding pics of planes for people who's relatives flew during WWII. While going through a lot of nose-art pics, we have run across some markings we cannot identify.
On the left side nose of a VERY FEW B-17G's, just aft and somewhat on the level of the pitot tube is stenciled " P38 " or "P39", with another number underneath that, ranging in the pics we have from 9 to 290. Looks like this :
P38
9
These numbers appear to be about 5 to 6 inches tall. On most of the A/C there is also a 3-number tail number forward of this stencil, usually twice as big. On one plane, this " P39 " marking is also visible on the tail, under a Bomb Group Square and above the S/N.
We have also run across pics of 2 B-17F's that have the nose stencil " P22" with no number underneath it. The F models appear to be Boeing built, while all the G models we can trace with the marking appear to be Lockheed-Vega built, and seem to have been ferried to the Lockheed Modification Center in Dallas before being assigned. I know the Mod. Center in Dallas did radar-bombing and photo-recon mods on P-38 Lightnings, so my 1st guess was it had something to do with " Pathfinder ", but we've determined that at least one A/C with the markings definately didnt have any BTO equipment. Also have about ruled out Project Number, as these look like they always were stenciled above the A/C data stencil block.
Any of you guys have an idea of what these numbers signify ? Factory or Mod. Center markings, or some kind of tactical data ? We've tried several BG Assn. websites, Boeing, Lockheed, etc, but so far, no luck. Any info would be greatly appreciated, we are flat stumped on this. Thanks
On the left side nose of a VERY FEW B-17G's, just aft and somewhat on the level of the pitot tube is stenciled " P38 " or "P39", with another number underneath that, ranging in the pics we have from 9 to 290. Looks like this :
P38
9
These numbers appear to be about 5 to 6 inches tall. On most of the A/C there is also a 3-number tail number forward of this stencil, usually twice as big. On one plane, this " P39 " marking is also visible on the tail, under a Bomb Group Square and above the S/N.
We have also run across pics of 2 B-17F's that have the nose stencil " P22" with no number underneath it. The F models appear to be Boeing built, while all the G models we can trace with the marking appear to be Lockheed-Vega built, and seem to have been ferried to the Lockheed Modification Center in Dallas before being assigned. I know the Mod. Center in Dallas did radar-bombing and photo-recon mods on P-38 Lightnings, so my 1st guess was it had something to do with " Pathfinder ", but we've determined that at least one A/C with the markings definately didnt have any BTO equipment. Also have about ruled out Project Number, as these look like they always were stenciled above the A/C data stencil block.
Any of you guys have an idea of what these numbers signify ? Factory or Mod. Center markings, or some kind of tactical data ? We've tried several BG Assn. websites, Boeing, Lockheed, etc, but so far, no luck. Any info would be greatly appreciated, we are flat stumped on this. Thanks