41-24577 Hell's Angels
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 4260 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (VK-D, serial number 41-24577) nicknamed "Hell's Angel" of the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group in flight. Passed for...
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
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17020683
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Crew Chief
![Staff Sergeant Russell M Warren of the 303rd Bomb Group in position inside the Radio Gunner post of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Official caption printed on image: 'GPR_63-14-303)(6-6-43) "Hells Angels"- Radio Room Gunner.' Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 15 Jun 1943.' [stamp], 'USA (BRI) CCC: Gun.' [annotiation] and '29093.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'S/Sgt Russell M. Warren, radio compartment gunner, of [illegible] New Mexico.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378835.jpg.webp?itok=YnXE-bAp)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18067613
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11008135
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ground Crew
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 47th Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34242819 / O-722787
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner / Bombardier
Places
Missions
- Date: 4 April 1943
- Date: 31 March 1943
- Date: 28 March 1943
- Date: 22 March 1943
- Date: 18 March 1943
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 6-Dec-2015. Corrected arrival date at Molesworth per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, historian.