Arctic B-17Bs 38-215 "1" and 38-216 "2"

[pokryshkin]

I am going to try to send and attach some new photos in addition to ones I already have, of the 2 B-17B aircraft assigned to the Cold Weather Test Center in 1940-1941, 38-215"1" and 38-216"2."

It seems I am unable to do this, and so will send the photos to Dan Johnson, Dry Martini, and others who might be able to put the photos on this forum.

From the color photo, of 38-215 in YELLOW markings in Alaska, and the not-very-good-photo of the Air International 1991 modelling art page, showing a RED-marked aircraft, it would seem that it became quickly very apparent that red is a better color for rescue spotting than yellow on snow, and that 38-215 was repainted fairly soon.

The reason I suspect this is that the color value on the rudder stripes on the sideview photo that has already been posted, and that is reposted here, seems to indicate match the color value on the rear fuselage, which would indicate red.


This is also a request for help: my friend Warren, who goes back to 1966, who doesn't want either his name or email given out, sent me these photos, but he's not really interested in B-17s: what he desperately needs are any in-service photographs of Focke-Wulf TA 152 H aircraft in service or in action. Please email me them, and I will forward them on to him.

Thank you VERY much!

Respectfully grateful,

Dan Katz

[gary1954]

Look forward to seeing them Dan

[DryMartini]

I'll get them posted tonight.

I also need to post a RAT update.
Some good goings-on out there in northern Illinois
this past weekend.

[Dan Johnson]

Dan K's images

[pokryshkin]

Dan K's images

These photos show 2 aircraft that were assigned to the Cold Weather Test Center in Alaska, commanded by Freeman. Freeman perished in the Nevada crash of the second aircraft shown here, 38-216,"2," in February 6, 1941, on its way to Wright Field, probably to be painted in the experimental high-visibility color scheme, which was at first yellow, and, due to that fatal crash, did not get to be painted in the experimental high-visibility scheme.

The photos of both aircraft seem to have been taken in Alaska, except for the large photo taken on tarmac which might have been taken at Wright Field just after the repainting with red paint.

The color photos and black and white photos of 38-215 "1" show the progression of the experimental Arcitc High-Visibility (for Rescue) Color Scheme that was used on B-17B 38-215 "1": The aircraft was first painted in yellow paint, as shown in both the color photograph and the black-and-white 3/4 right-hand front view of the aircraft also taken at around that time, both photos possibly taken in Alaska, in very early 1941, most likely where and when the photos of 38-216"2" were also taken. 38-215 "1," after this, was repainted in the red color scheme shown on the page from the modeling column section out of a 1991 issue of Air International magazine, which is also shown in the large almost right-hand side view where the wing blocks view of the fuselage and nose numbers.

This application of the red high-visibility paint to wingtips, cowlings, and rear fuselage and tail, again, is the color scheme in which the aircraft and crew, commanded by Captain Jack Marks, reluctantly went to war.

The aircraft never did get repainted until after the combat actions of June 4, 1942!

Respectfully and gratefully submitted,

Dan Katz