And another mystery to ponder - 42-102769?

[Chris Brame]

OK, this may be fun to figure out; marked on back "Italy 44":

Osborne lists 42-102769 as a stateside trainer that ended up at Altus:

42-102769 Del Alexandra 2/4/44; Omaha 17/4/44; Alexandra 21/4/44; 353 BU Keesler 11/8/44; 221 BU Alexandra 17/1/45; 329 BU Alexandra 1/3/45; 327 BU Drew 8/7/45; 203 BU Jackson 27/8/45; 268 BU Peterson 7/10/45; RFC Altus 7/11/45.

AAIR lists a Category 4 accident (bailout, forced landing, fire) for it on May 12, 1944:

440512 B-17G 42-102769 221BU Alexandria AAF, LA 2 BOFLF 4 Holler, Harlin D USA LA Esler Field, LA

So the question is, how did a piece of its fin wind up on this bullet-riddled older OD plane overseas? Battle damage repair, sure, and maybe one of you can figure out the H and Q codes, but...?

[terveurn]

run the serial number 42-31769 and you will find this aircraft

do not ask me why the serial number is painted this way

42-31769.JPG