41-24577 Hell's Angels
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
B-17F 41-24577 "Hells Angels" was assigned to 358BS/303BG [VK-D] Bangor 14-Oct-42; arrived at Molesworth 24-Oct-42; in landing accident with Irl E. Baldwin 26-Apr-43; slated to RAF 100 Squadron, but retained by 803rd BS ATD (American Training Detachment) before completing 48 missions without an abort or any crewman injured. Returned to the USA at Newark, New Jersey on 10 February 1944 for War Bond tour. 41-24577 was the first aircraft to complete 25 missions in the UK, earlier than the much more publicized "Memphis Belle" reached the same status. Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Searcey Field, Stillwater, Oklahoma on 7 August 1945. "HELL'S ANGELS".
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-427113
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-724122
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19071420
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11040361
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O742136
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 14 July 1943
- Date: 14 May 1943
- Date: 13 May 1943
- Date: 4 May 1943
- Date: 5 April 1943
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 6-Dec-2015. Corrected arrival date at Molesworth per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, historian.