815th BS 483rd BG

[Invader26]

My late father-in-law flew with 815th BS 483rd BG in two B-17's until severely wounded in 1944. SSGT Edward J Potocki Flight Engineer from Misahwaka, Indiana...

He went on to work as an engineer on Minuteman program [Cuban Crisis drafted in as a Major at a North Dakota missile site. and Apollo 13 drama]

Any pics or details appreciated. Hilmer Landholt was his Pilot and the aircraft were B-17F Chief Wahoo and B-17G Flak Happy

[daviemax]

B-17F 42-5418 Chief Wahoo was lost over Milan, Italy on 30 Apr 44 with Hilmer as pilot. Eight POW, two evaded.

B-17G 42-32023 Flak Happy survived the war and kicked around stateside until reclaimed on 19 Jun 47.

[Invader26]

Thanks for the detail, I wonder if either of these birds was photogenic enough to be recorded??

PS; The 815th BS used the "Memphis Belle" as a trainer when they were being formed up and before they received B-17G's [new] that they took to Italy and were almost immediately exchanged for somewhat tired B-17F's of another group!

[daviemax]

There is a reasonable likelihood that their nose art was photographed. I do not (yet) have a photo of 42-32023 and as I do not focus on war-time B-17s do not have anything on 42-5418 either. Possibly bomb group websites may have something. These generally are showing more and more detail regarding individual aircraft histories.

[bipe215]

The Landholt crew story is in the Heroes of the 483rd book. I'll scan a copy and send you Monday if you can send me your email.
Both Chief Wahoo and Flak Happy are listed as "no pictures" in the B-17 nose art directory. There are most certainly photos sitting in a drawer somewhere but apparently never published.

Steve

[Invader26]

Thanks all. I do have a copy of the 483rd book from Ed however nothing much about the early days of the outfit. The story of All American is amazing..