B17 photo

[Matt Weber]

Just picked this up at the Iola military show. Neat photo, showing a B17,and crew. The pilot has a 1911 on a shoulder holster.


I was wondering if anyone could tell me any information about the aircraft though. I can't make out the tail insignia, but it looks like a black triangle with a "U" on it. the nose number is 509, and gun turret has an "H" on it.


Would like to know the history of this B17, what unit, missions, crew...... But ANY info would be great!



Thanks,
Matt

[echoe]

b 17 id

looks like 457th Bomb Group

[Matt Weber]

Thank you very much! any more info?

Matt

[grndevil44]

heres a good link you probably found already

http://www.457thbombgroup.org

any writing on the back? lived not far from their home base in the UK,

[Matt Weber]

Yes, I did some digging of my own. It's tail serial number is 44-6509, with an "H" below that. It's a B17G, that was built by Douglas aircraft. It was delivered to the 457th bomb group, 748th squadron in October 1944. It survived the war and was flown back to the US in June 1945.

That link you provided actually has a great photo that identifies this tail number on an actual bombing mission! Very cool

Need to find out about the crew now. I'd like to identify the pilot in the photo.

Thanks,
Matt

[Matt Weber]

Just found a list of the crew!

Pilot- 2nd Lt. Girard A. Sharrock
Co-pilot- 2nd Lt. Richard Clawfield
Navigator- 2nd Lt. John Pearson
Bombadier- 2nd Lt. Henry Nohava
TT- Sgt. Harold Young
WG- Sgt. Sterling Haldeman
RO- Sgt. William O'Hara
BT- Sgt. James Hanley
TG- Sgt. James Madison

Now, I'd like to find out if any of these brave men are still around?

Matt