SWPA VIP B-17E "Nancy"

[Steve Birdsall]

Nancy was assigned to Major General Clements McMullen, commander, Far East Air Services Command and was named for his wife.

General McMullen didn't get to the Southwest Pacific until October 1944 meaning this could be one of the 54th Troop Carrier Wing’s armed transports in yet another incarnation.

Does anyone know the serial number of this B-17E or have other photos of it or information about it?

[jmkendall]

Could it have been 41-2477? Note this picture taken in the Phillipeans in 1945. I don't honestly know if that is a B-17 or not, but thought I would throw it out for the experts. Question; does anyone remember the serial number of the B-17E that was set aside for the Air Force museum and was scrapped at DM to make way for the B-29s?

genmcmullen.jpg

And note that he appears to sill have a B-17 when he takes command of the 8th AF in Ft Worth.

genmcmullenttakingcomand8thaffrworth.jpg

[Steve Birdsall]

Thanks Joe. but I believe that's 44-83477, Kenney's B-17G (the successor to Sally), in the background.

[varsity07840]

Could it have been 41-2477? Note this picture taken in the Phillipeans in 1945. I don't honestly know if that is a B-17 or not, but thought I would throw it out for the experts. Question; does anyone remember the serial number of the B-17E that was set aside for the Air Force museum and was scrapped at DM to make way for the B-29s?

genmcmullen.jpg

And note that he appears to sill have a B-17 when he takes command of the 8th AF in Ft Worth.

genmcmullenttakingcomand8thaffrworth.jpg

It could be a B-17F with a replacement "E" nose piece. A few 5th AF models were so fitted. That may also account for the F style cheek window, although a few Es did receive that modification.

Duane

[Steve Birdsall]

No, it's a B-17E. You can tell by the propellers.

[varsity07840]

No, it's a B-17E. You can tell by the propellers.

Missed that one! I stand corrrected.

Duane

[05564]

No, it's a B-17E. You can tell by the propellers.

OK, for us not in the know. What is the difference in the propellers?

[DryMartini]

OK, for us not in the know. What is the difference in the propellers?

The B-17F and B-17G had wide chord, "Paddle Blade" propellers.
The ones in the photo are the narrow chord blades, sometimes called
"toothpick" props.

[Prumus99]

Hi Steve,

I think this is a photo of "Nancy" that I have in my collection, but the nose art isn't seen in my photo.


Alan

[05564]

OK, for us not in the know. What is the difference in the propellers?

The B-17F and B-17G had wide chord, "Paddle Blade" propellers.
The ones in the photo are the narrow chord blades, sometimes called
"toothpick" props.

Thanks, the things you learn on here are AMAZING!

[OldBillB17F]

Hi Steve,

I think this is a photo of "Nancy" that I have in my collection, but the nose art isn't seen in my photo.


Alan

Hmmm...definitely looks similar, though the paddle-blade prop conspiracy may kill this effort too. It also appears that Nancy has an anti-glare paint application on top of the nose compartment, which this photo does not depict.

[Steve Birdsall]

Thanks Alan, that's another piece of this puzzle but I'm not quite sure where it fits!

[Steve Birdsall]

A process of elimination leads me to believe that Nancy is almost certainly 41-2417, previously Monkey Bizz-Ness in the 43rd Bomb Group. I know that there was a stripped-down "silver" B-17E with just the numbers 417 on the tail, but I need to find a good photo or two to close the case.