Following recent government announcements the museum is currently closed, there is plenty to explore in our online archive.
The American Air Museum is a charity - Find out how you can support us
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 381st Bomb Group are escorted during a practice mission by a P-51 Mustang of the 355th Fighter Group. The Fortresses, left to right, are (VE-N, serial number 43-37675) nicknamed "Patches (Flak Magnet)", (VE-K, serial number 42-106994) nicknamed "Little Guy" and (VE-O, serial number 42-107112) nicknamed "Sleepy Time Gal".
A formation of B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 381st Bomb Group is escorted during a practice mission by a P-51 Mustang of the 355th Fighter Group. The Fortresses, left to right, are (VP-S, serial number 42-97059) nicknamed "Marsha Sue", (VE-N, serial number 43-37675) nicknamed "Patches (Flak Magnet)", (VE-K, serial number 42-106994) nicknamed "Little Guy" and (VE-O, serial number 42-107112) nicknamed "Sleepy Time Gal".
B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 381st Bomb Group fly in formation during a practice mission. The aircraft, left to right are: (VE-O, serial number 41-107112) nicknamed "Sleepy Time Gal", (VE-N, serial number 43-37675) nicknamed "Patches (Flak Magnet)", (VE-K, serial number 42-106994) nicknamed "Little Guy" and (VP-S, serial number 42-97059) nicknamed "Marsha Sue". Image via Ian MacTaggart.
B-17 Flying Fortresses, (VE-O, serial number 41-107112) nicknamed "Sleepy Time Gal", (VE-N, serial number 43-37675) nicknamed "Patches (Flak Magnet)", (VE-K, serial number 42-106994) nicknamed "Little Guy", (VP-S,serial number 42-97059) nicknamed "Marsha Sue" and (GD-P, serial number 44-6163) of the 381st Bomb Group fly in formation during a practice mission.
"A formation of B-17 Flying Fortress of the 8th AF escorted by a P-51 Mustang."
Delivered Cheyenne 21/1/44; Gr Island 18/2/44; Grenier 22/2/44; Assigned 532BS/381BG [VE-K] Ridgewell 3/4/44; Missing in Action 37+m Altenbeken 26/11/44 with Kyle Smith, Radio Operator: Lester Colson, Ball turret gunner: Gustavo Contreras (3 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Don McGurk, Navigator: Melvin LaLuzerne, tog-Byron Wear, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bob Porter, Waist gunner: Tom Arnold,Tail gunner: Francis DeLange (6 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Apeldoorn, Hol; Missing Air Crew Report 11205. LITTLE GUY.
Group
The 381st Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Ridgewell, Essex between June 1943 and April 1945. The Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations, the first for bombing shipyards at Bremen, whilst under heavy attack, on 8 October 1943 and...
Squadron
Military | Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 381st Bomb Group
Shot down 26 November 1944 in B-17 #42106994 'Little Guy. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
Military | Sergeant | Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner | 381st Bomb Group
Shot down 26 November 1944 in B-17 #42106994 'Little Guy. ' Killed in Action (KIA).
Military | Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 381st Bomb Group
Shot down 26 November 1944 in B-17 #42106994 'Little Guy. ' Killed in Action (KIA).
Military | Flight Officer | Navigator | 381st Bomb Group
Shot down 26 November 1944 in B-17 42-106994 'Little Guy', Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 381st Bomb Group
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 381st Bomb Group
Military | Sergeant | Engineer, Top Turret Gunner | 381st Bomb Group
Shot down 26 November 1944 in B-17 #42106994 'Little Guy. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 381st Bomb Group
Shot down 26 November 1944 in B-17 #42106994 'Little Guy. ' Killed in Action (KIA).
Military | Staff Sergeant | Bombardier | 381st Bomb Group
Shot down 26 November 1944 in B-17 42-106994 'Little Guy. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
Awards: POW, WWII Victory, EAME.
Military site : airfield
Built during 1941-42 as an RAF bomber station, Ridgewell operated as a satellite to RAF Stradishall until May 1943. It had three concrete runways, initially 36 pan hardstandings, and two dispersed T2 hangars. Taken over by the Eighth Air Force in June...
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Failed to Return (FTR) | Germany | 26 November 1944 |
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 27 September 2014 18:40:15 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| Sources | ||
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 11205 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database |
||
