Mystery B-17 Trainer: Queenie with "U1" code

[aerovin2]

This B-17G was transferred by the RFC to the city airport at the Piipestone airport in Minnesota in 1946. The airport manager was Jack Lysdale's brother. It was displayed for about five years; at that point, the engines were stripped and sent to Jack Lysdale in St. Paul, MN, and the rest was reportedly scrapped. Not sure why it was scrapped as many in similar situations were saved, four by Lysdale himself. Nonetheless, these photos were taken at the Pipestone airport circa 1946. Identity of this B-17 is not known, but I'm betting one of the sleuths here can figure it out....

[Dan Johnson]

Interesting to see these. I'd posted an image of this 17 a while back and got no nibble. Surprised to see it was in my home state.

The thread with my image of Queenie:

https://aerovintage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4468

I'll get this one figured out. Probably time for a drive to Pipestone

[Dan Johnson]

It appears at least two of us are talking to the Pipestone history Museum. There is a gal there who gathered some info on this 17 but she's not back in until Wednesday when she will call me back. Is it anyone else from this board that's talking to them?

[Dan Johnson]

My photo of Queenie

[Chris Brame]

The other thread shows it as "D U1" so it's from Drew Field; terveurn, do you have this one?
If it's known which base this was delivered from, you could cross-reference Drew planes that didn't go through Cheyenne for the nose mod and narrow it down somewhat. Note also the auxiliary windows in the windscreen, their frames painted black or OD; several of the 42-102etc. block have this feature.
Looking at those photos that are blurry and taken from all the wrong angles, all I can say is... "Now you know how I feel!"

[terveurn]

D-U1 is still a mystery to me

[Dan Johnson]

Scott it looks like we both talked to the same gal at the Pipestone Museum. Now I know where the first images came from

She did mention three scrapbooks she can't find at the moment, from the airport in the time frame Queenie was there so I have hopes more images exist. I'm planning on driving out there to do some on the ground hunting in the near future. I have visions of a ball turret in the back of a hanger there

This mystery will be solved

[Dan Johnson]

The gal from the Pipestone Museum sent me a couple of newspaper articles regarding Queenie.

First from August 5, 1946 announcing her pending arrival. Second is from August 29, 1946 when she arrived. The pilot is named, Robert Hyde from the area so I'm going hunting for any sign of family that might know about him. Apparently he flew 17s during the war.

[Dan Johnson]

And here's our pilot of Queenie on the flight to Pipestone.

Robert "Bob" A. Hyde Jr., 91, died Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at Del Webb Hospital, Sun City West, Ariz.

He was cremated. Interment will be at New Woodlawn Cemetery in Pipestone at a later date.

Bob was born on Oct. 19, 1916 in Pipestone to Alice (Howes) and Robert A. Hyde Sr. He graduated from Pipestone High School in 1935.

He married Phyllis E. Buck on March 5, 1937. They were longtime residents of Pipestone until moving to Ottertail Lake and later to Alexandria. They were part-time residents of Sun City West, Ariz., until Phyllis became ill in 1995 whey they became full-time Sun City West residents.

Bob was a partner in Hyde Oil Company prior to starting Hy Pane Gas Company in 1948. The company eventually had propane plants in Pipestone, Garretson, S.D. and Windom and Jackson.

He was an ardent pilot, his flying experiences starting at 16 years of age. He was a commercial flyer and flight instructor from 1939 to 1942 working out of St. Louis and Winnipeg.
He served in the Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 as a civilian pilot employed by Air Corps Ferrying Command.

He is survived by a daughter, Nancy (William) Erdman, Mercer, Wisc., and a son, Robert A. Hyde III; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis in 1996 and two sisters, Margaret and Elizabeth.

[Chris Brame]

The ship now rests at an army base in Oklahoma

Altus, maybe? That might narrow it down a bit. I checked the Stillwater listings and they all have earlier serials. I'll take a whack at this -

42-102xxx series (educated guess)
Did not go through Cheyenne
Last served at Drew Field
Sent to Altus, OK for disposal by RFC

Let's see what I find.

[aerovin2]

I'm pretty certain it was Altus. The Stillwater sale was in February 1946 and most of the B-17s sold or transferred came from Altus.

[Chris Brame]

OK. Quick list, based on Osborne of course:

42-102716 Del McDill 31/3/44; 327 BU Drew 4/5/45; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 5/11/45.
42-102719 Del McDill 31/3/44; w/Bob McAnelly f/l Drew 21/5/44; to Drew w/Bob Ruthford 23/2/45; from Drew w/John Kastine 31/3/45; 327 BU Drew 4/5/45; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 5/11/45.
42-102722 Del McDill 31/3/44; Houston 7/4/44; McDill 11/4/44; 327 Drew 4/5/45; w/Wallace Boyce f/l base 21/5/44; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 15/11/45.
42-102728 Del McDill 31/3/44; 327 BU Drew 4/5/45; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 5/11/45.
42-102729 Del McDill 31/3/44; 327 BU Drew 4/5/45; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 5/11/45.
42-102748 Del McDill 31/3/44; 327 BU Drew 4/5/45; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 5/11/45.

Six possibles (where have I heard THAT before?!) and two possible sets of forced landing accident report images to check for codes.

Terveurn, can you narrow it down more?

[aerovin2]

Betty at the museum just advised me that the scrapbooks have been located and there is a photo that has part of the tail shown plus other information. I'll post whatever comes in.

[Dan Johnson]

Betty at the museum just advised me that the scrapbooks have been located and there is a photo that has part of the tail shown plus other information. I'll post whatever comes in.

Got the same message

[terveurn]

OK. Quick list, based on Osborne of course:

42-102716 Del McDill 31/3/44; 327 BU Drew 4/5/45; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 5/11/45.
42-102719 Del McDill 31/3/44; w/Bob McAnelly f/l Drew 21/5/44; to Drew w/Bob Ruthford 23/2/45; from Drew w/John Kastine 31/3/45; 327 BU Drew 4/5/45; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 5/11/45.
42-102722 Del McDill 31/3/44; Houston 7/4/44; McDill 11/4/44; 327 Drew 4/5/45; w/Wallace Boyce f/l base 21/5/44; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 15/11/45.
42-102728 Del McDill 31/3/44; 327 BU Drew 4/5/45; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 5/11/45.
42-102729 Del McDill 31/3/44; 327 BU Drew 4/5/45; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 5/11/45.
42-102748 Del McDill 31/3/44; 327 BU Drew 4/5/45; 301 BU Drew 22/10/45; RFC Altus 5/11/45.

42-102716 unknown

42-102719 was Drew S-I2

42-102722 unknown photos show her with white cowlings so D - ?1

42-102728 unknown

42-102729 had nose art -- was called D - ?2 / Snooky ! & Kato King - red cowlings

42-102748 had red engine cowlings so D - ?2

so two possibles - 716 or 728


Dave