Post war B-17G "mystery plane"

[jmkendall]

This one is really interesting. Note the painted out Insignia. The date stamp on the back of the photo dates it to 1948. If this is not a US Military Aircraft, then what "routine training mission" was it on? I know it is probably not one of the aircraft that went to Israel because of the location, but the timing is interesting.

[aerovin2]

Actually, I think it is one of the four airplanes that were smuggled out of the country in July 1948. Note this information as related on the Aero Vintage page on the B-17 film Command Decision:

One of my best sources for postwar B-17 information has been the late Malcolm Gougon. His records indicate the following about 44-83842: It was sold as surplus out of Altus AAF in May 1947 to Bob Sturges (dba Columbia Airmotive) of Troutdale, Oregon, and registered as NL1212N. In February 1948 he sold it to aircraft broker Charles Babb operating from the Grand Central Air Terminal in Southern California. Babb leased it to Warner Brothers for Fighter Squadron in the spring of 1948 and then to MGM for Command Decision. The airplane retained the gun turrets at this time. Information from my file indicates that it was then sold in late June or early July to Israeli interests represented by Al Schwimmer, who had already smuggled three B-17s out of the U.S. bound for Israel. A crew tried to fly NL1212N out of the country during the second week of July. During the first week of July arrangements were made by a company named "World Air Ferries" at White Plains, New York, to purchase 6,500 gallons of avgas to be used to fuel two B-17s and four A-26s. When NL1212N showed up on July 11 at 0800, it was marked with the bogus registration of NL7712M. It was fueled and, after a short test flight, immediately departed bound for the Azores. It suffered some engine problems and ended up landng at Halifx, Nova Scotia, where it was impounded. After a minor international incident, it was released for a return flight to the U.S. on July 16. During that flight, in which the airplane apparently headed east instead of southwest out of Halifax, ended early when three cowlings blew off the B-17 and it returned to Halifax. After repairs, the Canadians only would authorized a depature if the B-17 was escorted back to the U.S., arrangements for which were made for a July 18th departure. Shortly before midnight on the 17th, though, the airplane departed Halifax without permission and ended up in the Azores. There, Portugese authorities impounded the airplane and crew, the crew later being released to return to the U.S. The airplane's fate is not confirmed, but the best sources would indicate that it was shortly afterwards covertly obtained by the Dominican Republic. Some reports suggest that it was flown into the Domincan Republic in 1951 and became part of its air force flying as FAD 2301. However, Dan Hagedorn's excellent Central American and Caribbean Air Forces notes the arrival of a B-17G in the Dominican Republic in mid-September 1948, which makes more sense in the timeline. Two sources suggest this B-17G later carried the Dominican air force serial of FAD 2301. It remained in service until at least July 1954 but its ultimate fate is unknown.

I have some articles about this airplane that were published at the time. Interesting stuff. I think the pictured airplane is thus 44-83542, the B-17 that may have been used in Command Decision and the one that was used in Fighter Squadron shot the month before (June 1948) in southern California.



This new photo posted by jmkendall is interesting; haven't seen it before. Where did it come from?

[05564]

Great photos and fine story. Do the tires in that first photo look a little low on air pressure, or does she have a big load maybe?

[Second Air Force]

Great photos and fine story. Do the tires in that first photo look a little low on air pressure, or does she have a big load maybe?

I'd say she is fully fueled and probably has a bomb bay full of spares. There is definitely a load on the airplane.

A very interesting thread! I'd always wanted to see a photo of the bomber that didn't make it to Israel.

Scott

[05564]

This might seem like a stupid question, but how much air pressure should be in those tires? Yes this is an interesting story,one I'm sure many people have never heard about. That's one of the reasons I do so enjoy this fine Web-site!!!

[Second Air Force]

The "Line Maintenance" section of the Field Service Manual for the B-17G says to inflate the mains to 8.5" from the ground to the bottom of the outside wheel rim. I've got an equivalent guage pressure somewhere around here but I've put all of my Fortress manuals back into storage since I don't have one to work on anymore.

Scott

[05564]

WOW!! That's amazing that the manual would have it broke down like that. Sooo, the heavier the load, the more air pressure naturely. (Sorry to hear you don't have one to work on anymore, I bet it was fun when you did.)