This B-17E Needs To Be Identified

[Steve Birdsall]

This is a question that really should not be so hard to answer, but it has stumped me for years.

Here's a photo of a B-17E that apparently returned from service in the Pacific in early 1944. The elaborate markings look like those painted on other B-17s that were relegated to the 13th Air Depot on New Caledonia (like 41-24554, The Mustang).



The name My Oklahoma Gal doesn't turn up anywhere else and I believe it may have been created for the aircraft's return, perhaps to replace something less wholesome.

Anyway, this second photo shows what is almost certainly the same aircraft, but stripped of all paint and very much spruced up, indicating some kind of Stateside transport role?

[Steve Birdsall]

Thanks to Roy Thomas, the B-17E has been positively identified as 41-2649.

The earliest combat mission that I found for 41-2649 was a night mission to Rabaul on June 24, 1942. The pilot was Lt Jack Thompson and the aircraft was assigned to the 28th Bomb Squadron of the 19th Bomb Group. When the 19th went home, 41-2649 went to the 64th Bomb Squadron, 43rd Bomb Group.

So far, there's no evidence that "My Oklahoma Gal" or "Oklahoma Gal" was ever actually painted on the aircraft, or when that name began being used. That's just one of the questions still to be answered about this exceptional B-17.

Her long career ended when she was declared salvage after a landing accident at Goose Bay, Labrador, on August 23, 1945.

[DryMartini]

Steve,

How did he identify the plane?

[Steve Birdsall]

Bill, photos that can be seen at:

http://forum.armyairforces.com/Can-Anyo ... 06-p2.aspx