Locked97th Bomb Group, 340th squadron pictures attached - looking for additional information

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97th Bomb Group, 340th squadron pictures attached - looking for additional information

Hi, My Dad was Lt. John C. Summers, pilot of the B-17 Summers' Sleepers, in the first group that flew combat out of Polebrook, England, then later in North Africa.  He flew Jimm Doolittle across the Med at the start of Torch. I've attached some of his photos, and looking for anyone who knows any of these pictures or names, or has any additional information.  His plane's tail number was 124388.
Vic Summers

 
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    Steve Birdsall
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    Re:97th Bomb Group, 340th squadron pictures attached - looking for add (permalink)
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    Vic, I can't really add anything but I'm still trying to find out more about 41-24388.
     
    According to the 92nd Bomb Group historian's records it was flown to England by Captain Francis Winget, and Winget was photographed at Gander, Newfoundland in front of a B-17 named Virgin Sturgeon.
     
    There's a thread about this at http://forum.armyairforces.com/tm.aspx?high=&m=209472&mpage=1#209472
     
    Is there any possibility that the nose artwork was changed to something more "suitable" for the VIP flights that your father and this B-17 were involved in? 
     
     
     
     
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    shooshoobaby
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    Re:97th Bomb Group, 340th squadron pictures attached - looking for add (permalink)
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    Victor -
    The flight to Gibralter is discussed in General Doolittle's
    Autobiography , I could Never be so Lucky Again in
    Pages 286 - 289. His B-17 was one of 6 that made the
    Flight from Hurn Airdrome on the South Channel Coast.
    Paul Tibbets was one of the Pilots.
    Doolittles B-17 lost it's Brakes while taxiing and almost
    ran into another B-17. They took off the next morning. 
    The B-17 carrying Major General Asa Duncan never arrived
    and was never found.
    They were attacked by 4 JU 88s. They got shot up
    and Doolittle had to take over for the Copilot who was
    wounded. They managed to get away by taking violent
    evasive action with a Gunner damaging one of the Ju 88s.
    Quite a Story.  
    B-17 # 41 - 24388 97th BG , 340th Sq.
    After this Flight Based at :
    Maison Blanche 11/13/42
    Tafaraoui 11/22/42
    Biskra - Badly Damaged by Enemy ground Forces 1/10/43
    Declared Salvage / Nonrepairable 1/14/43  
    Mike
                                                                                                                  
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