B-17F trainer with odd ADF mount

[Chris Brame]

Current eBay listing; available info shows this was a trainer from Geiger Field, written off after a forced landing at Stewart Field, West Point, NY on July 25, 1943:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154635995754?h ... SwUzZhWR03
Anyone know about this unusual mounting of the second ADF loop in the nose perspex? I've never seen another like it.

[JohnB]

Isn't that the top turret (Bendix?) usually seen on B-17Es?
Geiger Field was in Spokane, Wa...it is now the Spokane International (GEG), so it was a long way from home for a wartime cross country.

Geiger Field had an active duty unit in addition to the WA ANG (116 TH FS), and got a measure of fame as being home to the first F-106 unit.

[Randy Wilson]

Google search on B-17 41-24625 turns up a bit of info such as this link:

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/539

It mentions a "Joe Kramp force". There was a Joseph J. Kramp who won a Silver Star. Anyone know more about the story? Thanks.

Randy

[raconnel]

I think a comma is in order there, as in "with Joe Kramp, force landed Stewart Fd, West Point, NY 25/7/43; Written off 15/10/43

Baugher tells it slightly differently - "24625 (MSN 3310) while attached to Geiger Field, WA damaged in landing accident due to mechanical
failure at Stewart Field, West Point, NY Jul 15, 1943". Note the 10 day difference in the crash date.

[martin_sam_2000]

I would assume it is simply a duplicate DF system that was mounted through an existing hole in the nose perspex. Would allow an instructor to independently confirm a students reading, or even just to allow two students to work simultaneously.

Sean

[Randy Wilson]

A comma makes a lot of sense. My old middle-school teacher of English, Latin and Mythology, Mr. Connolly, would not have given me a good grade on that miss. Thank you and all the best.

Randy