Early SWP B-17's ...

[Mark Allen M]

... and a lot of them. These photos are from a LIFE collection. I'm not sure who the photographer was, but a very nice look at the Solomon Islands and New Hebrides in late 1942, early 43. Posting in no particular order and I'll post what I do know (which is very little) Some really good stuff here for those interested in early Pacific B-17 operations. I'll credit Steve Birdsall for most of the captions.

Part 1






New Hebrides. The B-17E must be 41-2524 from the 11th Bomb Group.


B-17F 41-2428

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Sun Jan 17, 2016 1:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Mark Allen M]

Part 2

[Mark Allen M]

Part 3

[Mark Allen M]

Part 4

[Mark Allen M]

Part 5

[Mark Allen M]

Part 6






















41-9215 'Galloping Gus'

[Mark Allen M]

Part 7


41-9211 'Typhoon McGoon'


41-9211


41-9153


41-2523


41-2525


41-9128


41-2397 with the 11th Bomb Group


41-2437 and 41-9060


41-2463

[Elwyn]

What does the over-sized Japanese kill marking on Typhoon McGoon signify?

[gemmer]

Nice shots of some early low serial number E models retro fitted with ball turrets and others with painted out Hawaii Air Depot tail stripes.

[steve dickey]

Looks like it has a date below it, ? ? 42?

[ryguy135]

Any chance you have any more? I had the privilege of talking to a WWII B-17 vet this pat summer who served in the Pacific. His B-17 was named somethings f like NIS- not in stock. Think I got the acronym wrong but it was along those lines. He said they had a girl painted on the nose and the acronym wasn't in reference to the parts but to the women! Would love to know the serial of it. Thanks!

[Mark Allen M]

Yes I have more and I'll post them tomorrow when I get home.

[tom d. friedman]

what refreshing B17 backgrounds!! a part of the war forgotten.

[tom d. friedman]

what refreshing B17 backgrounds!! a part of the war forgotten.

[Stoney]

Those bomb shackles look like the ones I have in the garage.