Burning B-17 challenge

[Dennis56]

I just came across these last night. I believe it was for sale on ebay. The seller thought it was either a Hickam (Pearl Harbor) loss, or Clark Field. Allegedly, they were obtained from a 19TH B.G. person.
1. Clark is easily ruled out as it appears to be an E model
2. Hicham is doubtful as there is no red disc in the star, and as far as I know, none of the Es were destroyed in the attack. Maybe a later accident as no helmets are visible in the second picture.
3. Whay strikes me as strange is they appear to be "private" pictures, but the serial number has been deleted.
4. For 19th BG, I wasn't aware of any hangars like that in the South Pacific, all I've ever seen was the huge arched hangars. Dennis

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[Second Air Force]

I'm almost certain that happened at Pyote AAF in Texas. I've seen the photos before and the hangar is a dead ringer for the Pyote Sub-Depot hangar. The 19th BG was assigned to Pyote to train replacement crews after rotating back to the States, so that part of the back story of the pictures is correct. If you google "Pyote Army Air Field Sub-Depot" you'll find some photos of the sub-depot (and the remnants that still exist) that are a perfect match. Also, scroll most of the way down on this thread and there are a couple more pictures of this fire: http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... p?p=615012

[Dennis56]

Thanks, you hit the nail square on the head. Confirmed my suspicions were right and answers to my latest B-17 question. I had also posted this on the "Wreckchasing Message Board" where I have been active for several years. Dennis

[terveurn]

These photos all come from the Texas State archives

The border with the Pyote markings were cropped out

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