B-17E 41-2644 Los Lobos

[Steve Birdsall]

Can anyone here provide any information about this fragment?



It’s from the nose of the B-17E Los Lobos, 41-2644, which flew with both the 19th and 5th Bomb Groups before becoming the personal transport of the 13th Air Depot commander on New Caledonia. In the 394th Bomb Squadron its regular pilots were Bill Ripley and Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek.

I’m interested to know when and where the fragment was found. Any help will be very welcome - just finding this image without the ridiculous Photobucket watermark would be a plus!

[Mark Allen M]

Very interesting Steve.

[Mark Allen M]

Unrelated but perhaps this photo will interest you as well.

[mike furline]

In comparing both photos,
in the Black & Whitle photo both words of LOS LOBOS are on the same line or plain.
in the Color photo it looks like there is part of a letter that extends down below the plain of the word LOBOS. (Just under the photobucket watermark.)

[Adam Kline]

That looks like the part was folded back onto itself and the paint transferred over a little.

[ffuries]

That looks like the part was folded back onto itself and the paint transferred over a little.

Either that or possible remains of a previous name or artwork bleeding through the faded paint.

[menards]

In comparing both photos,
in the Black & Whitle photo both words of LOS LOBOS are on the same line or plain.
in the Color photo it looks like there is part of a letter that extends down below the plain of the word LOBOS. (Just under the photobucket watermark.)

There was additional artwork added after the B&W photo was taken. See the following thread for a later photo of the plane showing (part of) the additional name painted under LOS LOBOS.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=69579

[aerovin]

Beat me to it. Here is that photo...

[mike furline]

http://joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1941_1.html

41-2644 deliverd to Lowry Mar 7, 1942; transferred to Boise Apr 1942; assigned to 19BG/30BS at Hickam, Hawaii Apr 22, 1942; damaged at Rabual Aug 7, 1942, repaired; RETUS Aug 13, 1944; WO Oct 19, 1944.

[gemmer]

http://joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1941_1.html

41-2644 deliverd to Lowry Mar 7, 1942; transferred to Boise Apr 1942; assigned to 19BG/30BS at Hickam, Hawaii Apr 22, 1942; damaged at Rabual Aug 7, 1942, repaired; RETUS Aug 13, 1944; WO Oct 19, 1944.

Just curious, why would a 19th BG /30th BS ship be assigned at Hickam when the Group was in Australia?

[Steve Birdsall]

That Baugher information is a bit off the mark. 41-2644 flew some early missions with the 30th Bomb Squadron, but by July 1942 was in the 28th Squadron, where it stayed until it left Australia in October 1942. Spruced up and reassigned to the 394th Bomb Squadron in Hawaii. Never returned to the US and was condemned in Hawaii in 1945. Probably salvaged on New Caledonia, but I'd like to confirm that if I can.