jasonkahler1
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B-17 "Buck Shot"
Hello, everyone. I am taking a flying leap that someone might be able to help me.
This evening while walking my dog, I met a gentleman who said he was the pilot of the B-17 named the Buck Shot. He was wounded flying it.
Eventually, the plane was lost over Germany with a different crew.
I'd like very much to find a photograph of this particular plane. The gentleman said it was even featured in a History Channel program, with him having flown the damaged plane to a safe landing.
The B-17 was always my favorite plane growing up, and to shake this man's hand was an honor for me. I'd like to frame a photograph of his plane for him, if I can find one.
Any help would be so appreciated.
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Anthony J. Mireles
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According to Wallace Forman's B-17 Nose Art Directory this is B-17F # 42-3187 BUCKSHOT 410BS/94BG.
The airplane was ditched in the English Channel on 13 June 1943 with nine MIA and one POW.
According to Forman's book, there is no known photo of the airplane. Or at least no photo that he knew of.
Good Luck with your research.
TM.
. . . Anthony J. Mireles FATAL ARMY AIR FORCES AVIATION ACCIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1941-1945 www.warbirdcrash.com
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jpeters140
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Jason....Here is the 94th BG Association information.
You might find a photo by contacting them.
Association contacts: Debi Robbinson (webmaster) 94th Bomb Group Association P.O. Box 7664 Bonney Lake WA 98390 E-mail: [url "mailto:the94thbombgroup@yahoo.com"][#0000ff]the94thbombgroup@yahoo.com[/#0000ff][/url] Reunion News: No 2003 information. Web sites: [url "http://www.94thbombgroup.com/"][#0000ff]http://www.94thbombgroup.com[/#0000ff][/url], Includes nice list of named aircraft serial numbers and some nose art along with a guestbook that you can sign. [url "http://allbombers.tripod.com/dayspay.html"][#0000ff]http://allbombers.tripod.com/dayspay.html[/#0000ff][/url], Very informative page about the aircraft "Day's Pay" which (transferred to the 94th BG from the 493rd) was paid for by the employees at the Hanford Engineering Works Project. [url "http://www.rougham.org/"][#0000ff]http://www.rougham.org[/#0000ff][/url], Rougham Tower Association web site. Related Book: Lingering Contrails of the Big Square A: A History of the 94th Bomb Group, Harry E. Slater. Garrett Graphics, 1980. Unit history.
Jim :-)
James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions 99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45 M/Sgt USAF (Retired)
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jasonkahler1
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My goodness!
Thanks so much for the help.
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MB0427
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Jason, do you know the name of the Gentlemen whom you met ? Given his name I may be able to locate some info on him. Regards, Marc
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jasonkahler1
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Hi, Marc.
I didn't catch his name. I didn't want to seem too stalkery, and I was taken aback a little. It was like meeting a childhood hero whose name I never knew (if that makes any sense).
I do know he was injured on a mission (he said he is "35% disabled," though he looks great and moves well for a man almost a century old!) which is why he was not on the Buckshot's last mission.
Frankly, I suppose I could go knock on some doors as he lives nearby, but I didn't want to seem rude.
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MB0427
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Jason, maybe keep an eye out for him when he is going for a walk. If Roger Freeman is correct, A/C 42-3187 "Buckshot" was assigned to the 94th BG, 410th Squadron on 28 May 1943. The only possible missions before it was shot down with the Lt. Weldon crew aboard on 13 June were--29 May and 11 June. He shouldn't mind telling you his name and the crew he was on. Regards, Marc It would also help if you can find out the date he was wounded.
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scottski51
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MB and Jason, Found this tidbit after Googling b17+buckshot: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~culbert/history/military/journal/03prisoners.htm 3rd line down lists a POW from a plane with that name shot down Over Germany (as the old pilot claims) on January 11, 1944. I'm just speculating Mr. Freeman may have another "Buck Shot" in mind. Though as MB knows, my grandfather (known as "Pappy" Colby)was in the 94th in those early days, he was still in the 333rd squadron until late June '43. Later, as CO of the 410th, it's possible he knew your evening walker. If so, there's always a chance (slim) of a picture somewhere. I've checked my small collection and find none with Buckshot in them. This is pretty interesting. Hopefully you meet up with him again! Edit: later found this tidbit for pilot Cannon via site called 351st.org: 42-29861 Sep. 6 1943 landed at West Malling. Pilot Lt. Lloyd A. Christman. Sep. 16 1943 landed at Exeter. Pilot Lt. James W. Strouse. Dec. 1 1943 landed at Framlingham. Pilot Lt. Harold C. Cannon. Dec. 31 1943 landed at Henstridge. Pilot Lt. Keith G. Rohde. Jan. 11 1944 shot down by fighters. Pilot Lt. Harold C. Cannon. Target Ochersleben. Could this be our plane, MB.... or is my amateur sleuthing (very likely) way off base. How would a 94th bomber end up in the 351st squadron 6 mos. later?
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MB0427
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Scott, Jason,many A/C with the same names in different BG'S. Appears 42-29861 was always in the 351st BG. No record of it in the 94th. Some crews would name an A/C and put nose art on it in the USA and when they arrived accross the pond it was taken away and sent to another BG which needed more A/C. In the case of my dad's original A/C they flew overseas it was shot up and became a "Hangar Queen". After it was repaired it was sent to the 384th BG. Early on many A/C were transfered here and there wherever the need was. Early on A/C were going down faster than supply could keep up with at times as well as other variables. The 94th transfered and received transfers often. This included crews who were assigned to the 94th and then transfered to another BG because the other BG had suffered heavy losses. In the fall of 1943 the 94th due to increased A/C and crew supply they were able to put more A/C and crews in the air.
I am very interested who the mystery walker is and what he can recall about the 410th Sq. in the early days. Many things are still unknown. Regareds, Marc
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eesharpener
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Marc, What was the Tail Number of your Dad's aircraft that was shot up, repaired and sent to the 384th BG?
I am a research helper for the 384th BG and am always looking for information pertaining to the 384th.
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MB0427
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The number was 42-3088 "Sugar Puss". There is a photo of it on the 384th website. Also, 42-29670 "Thundermug" went to the 384th. Regards, Marc
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eesharpener
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Marc,
Thanks for the information.
Bama Guy
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kunminshin
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I noticed this is over a year old but figured id shed a little light in case the thread creator ever checked up on it. I also don't know if ill ever really check these threads again as I only registered to these forums cus I saw it while googling my grandpas plane but here's my email if u ever have any questions kunminshin@hotmail.com. My grandpa (mothers father) is James Strouse and he was a pilot of the Buck Shot. He is now in his late 90s. It has been a very long time since he has told me stories of his time in the war so a lot of it is fuzzy. I do know he has a picture of him and his crew taken in front of the buckshot during the war and my mother has pictures of it somewhere as well. I remember growing up Memphis Belle was my fav movie. Anywho email me if u have any questions
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