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231777

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jp zanoya
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231777

My Father, Lt Philip Zanoya, was a pilot in the 447th.  I have some photos of a plane that he crash landed.  I had always assumed that the plane in the photos was SCHEHERAZADE, the plane in which he flew most of his missions.  However, upon enlarging the photos, it appears that the number in this plane is 231777.
Can anyone give me any information on this plane?  The photos are dated 2/8/44--I assume this is the "european" system and the date is August 2, '44
I would appreciate any information anyone could provide on these photos.

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    Lucky Partners
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    JP,

    So far the only thing I have been able to find is a notation in Doyle Shield's book, History of the 447th Bomb Group, stating "Lt Zanoya crash landed in front of the tower on return."  Shields states further, " A note is made in the Group Engineers log opposite Lt Zanoya's name - "owes me 4 pounds".  Wonder what that was all about."  The date was August 2, 1944 and the target that day was oil and supply dumps in the area of Paris.  The full serial number of the B-17 was 42-31777, as far as I can find it had no name or nose art.  It appears that the ship suffered battle damage during the mission and that was the reason for the crash landing.

    Will check further.

    Hal
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    Ol Scrapiron Heeb
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    When I was in Rattlesden a couple years ago I met up with Ernest Osborne and while we were up in the tower he told me about that crash. (shamefully) most of the details slip my mind, but he knew all about it. It seems there was a mention of it in one of the 447th books.


    As soon as I saw the pics I knew it was the incident he told me of.

    Steve Heeb
    Puyallup, Wash.
    grandson of Loran Heeb; Ol' Scrapiron 42-31582
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    jp zanoya
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    Thanks for the tip Steve!
    Hal has sent me his address, so I will write to him and see what I can find out.

    ~John

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    dlflemming
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    My father flew that plane on a NOBALL mission on Feb 28, 1944.
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    taildragger
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     Picture of 42-31777 on page 206 of Pictorial Tribute To The Men and Aircraft of the
    447th BG by Derek Smith has  the following caption: 42-31777 brakes failed when landing from the mission of 2nd August 1944. The plane finished up near the control
    tower. Pilot was Lt. Zanova.  (I assume Zanoya). Picture is taken toward the nose and
    one cannot see any name or artwork. My uncle probably flew missions with him. He
    was in the 710th on Leavitt's crew as copilot. Gresham was his name. They finished up in July of 1944.
    Pat
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    Jimmy Holland
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    My father, T.J. Holland was a radio operator on several of your dads missions. He was mainly on Hbrasky crew but ended up on your dads crew on several missions. My email is  JLHolland@aep.com
    Quote  #7
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