Warbird Information Exchange

Anyone have wartime info or period pictures of B-17 navigator Raymond M. Rahner (b. July 23, 1919) who was based in Chelveston England during World War II? He was shot down over France and spent 2½ years as a prisoner of war. Any idea which plane he was shot down in?

Thanks!

Shot down on 4 April 1943; POW at Stalag Luft III; Helped plan the break depicted in the 1963 movie "The Great Escape." The duck on his entertaining TV show Ray Raynor and Friends was named Chelveston after the base the 305th BG was based at in England.

You really should ask this question at the great forum http://www.armyairforces.com , where there is sure to be someone who could answer your questions. I would bet that if you search the threads on the 305th BG forum at http://www.armyairforces.com he would probably come up.

Good Luck with your research.

TonyM.

Correction Edit

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"Welcome back Mr. Lasky."

Yes, I watched his TV show for many years, that's why I asked.

Now I have a place to start, thanks Tony!

I grew up watching his WGN morning show along with his afternoon hosting of the Dick Tracy cartoons as Officer Pettibone (I wonder if he got that name from a Pettibone aircraft tug?) as well as playing a clown named Oliver O. Oliver on Bozo's Circus at noon daily - truly a hard-working entertainer and a Chicago TV legend.

(That duck used to constantly chase him around the set, nipping at his ankles - he should have named him Messerschmitt!)

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Seems to be 42-5146, 305th BG, 422nd BS, lost on April 4, 43. Here is a link to the Missing Air Crew Report
http://fb.footnote.com/image/47348636/

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Aviation Illustration Website
http://shepartstudio.com/illustration/