301ST BOMB GROUP B-17F THE PUFFIN' HUSSY II

 I’ve been trying to identify this 301st original for some time, and this is the only strong lead I’ve found.
 
At the end of January 1943 LIFE photographer Margaret Bourke-White was on her way back from assignment with the Twelfth Air Force when she reported this: We had stopped to fuel at Oran. I was wandering about to pass the time when something across the field attracted my eye. It couldn't be! Yes, it was! A jeep driver took me to the spot. The empty hull of the Flying Flitgun stood forlornly at the edge of the strip . . . the painting of the insects with the faces of Hirohito, Mussolini and Hitler stood out clear. Near her stood the newest hangar queen, Puffin Hussy II. Some earnest-faced mechanics were delving into the Puffin Hussy and pulling out everything of value, moving the various items over and laying them on the ground around the Flit Gun.
 
We know that the 97th Bomb Group’s 41-24412, Flying Flit Gun, (which had been christened by Margaret Bourke-White in October 1942), went back into service and was finally salvaged in July 1945, and it’s possible that The Puffin’ Hussy II was also repaired when parts became more plentiful. So maybe she was Lt Lee Maxwell’s 41-24366, which flew only six missions before being transferred to the depot at La Senia, and was reassigned to the 99th Bomb Group in April 1943? There are other possibilities, but that’s my best guess at this time. Can anyone add anything?

 Has it been determined that 41-24366 is the serial number for Puffin Hussy II?

Hello
I don't know if 41-24366 was  "Puffin Hussy II", it is only the fate of this a/c.

Hartmut

Dick Drain's 5th Wing History Of Aircraft Assigned shows the following :
 
41-24366  K.O.    353    oriiginal a/c. assined 18-7-42  6 mission. Todepot at Senia. asigned to 99th BG 3-8-43.
                                      to depot 3-44. crash landing, 19-8-44. salvaged overseas. 
 
41-24366   K.O.   416    accepted by USAAF 14-6-42. assigned 301st BG, at Westover 7-7-42. assigned 8th AF
                                      18-7-42. assigned to 99th BG 3-4-43 from depot at La Senia. Xfr to La Senux Depot 5-                                      5-7-43. returned to duty. xfr to depot 3-44. crash landing 19-8-44.salvaged overseas.
 
Jim :-)

James, should this be moved or copied to the 99th?  Maybe somebody there might recognize it.
 
Did find on http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=97753 regarding 41-24366.  It does seem, as I remember my father-in-law wrote, they used parts from damaged planes.  No waste.
 
Date: 17-AUG-1944
Time:  
Type: Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress
Operator: United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
Registration: 41-24366
C/n / msn:  
Fatalities: Fatalities: / Occupants:
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Aghione -  France
Phase:  
Nature: Military  
 
Patti 
 

Steve...In the photo you posted of Puffing Husssy II......Are you able to make out the information in the DATA information that is below the small window aft of the .50  MG mounted in the large window ?
The top line appears to be the serial number.
 
Jim :-)

jsontag

 Has it been determined that 41-24366 is the serial number for Puffin Hussy II?

 
It took a while but yes, it's finally confirmed that 41-24366 was named The Puffin' Hussy II.