43-38280 Missbehavin Raven

A B-17 Flying Fortress of the 34th Bomb Group inside a hangar. Image via Mark Brown, AFA. Written on slide casing: 'B-17 Yellow Hangar.' media-387820.jpg FRE 5459 A B-17 Flying Fortress of the 34th Bomb Group inside a hangar. Image via Mark Brown, AFA. Written on slide casing: 'B-17 Yellow Hangar.'
Note: This slide is shown reversed. The truck should be facing the left of the picture.
Update 23/08/15. Location is Mendlesham at the south entrance to the western T2 hangar. The hangar still exists as part of an industrial complex.
The aircraft is the 'Missbehaven Raven' tail code 43-38280 . Close analysis of the nose shows a white swastika above the cheek gun. The 'Valour to Victory' website lists the aircraft's ball turret gunner as being credited with a kill on 2nd March 1945. Additional bomb tallies plus daisies in the grass suggest this photograph is April 1945.
Wing sections in the foreground plus inside the hangar entrance (note fuel cell) suggest multiple aircraft structure repairs are happening here. Note the support jack near the propeller.
Aircraft was involved in a propwash incident on 5th April 1945. The aircraft didn't fly again until 10th April 1945 which was quite a break in missions. It's a reasonable assumption to say this photograph was taken in that 5 day period, especially as no further damage reported after this time period thus little need for entry into a hangar.
The incident on 5th April resulted in 3 crew bailing out at 20,000ft. 2nd Lieutenant Leo T Bartczak was killed probably attempting to bail out. He is buried in Madingley American Cemetery. Roger Freeman Collection

Data taken from 'Valour to Victory' along with some original research.

Object Number - FRE 5459 - A B-17 Flying Fortress of the 34th Bomb Group inside a hangar. Image via Mark Brown, AFA. Written on slide casing: 'B-17 Yellow Hangar.' Note: This...

Delivered Cheyenne 15/7/44; Kearney 26/7/44; Grenier 9/8/44; Assigned 4BS/34BG Mendlesham 12/8/44; mia ? with R. Martin, Co-pilot: Ferlich, Navigator: George Webster, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Fleming, Radio Operator: Desjardines, Ball turret gunner: Marvin Jalving, Waist gunner: George Schmitt; vn- Clarke (7 Returned to Duty); Bombardier: George Bartzee (Killed in Action); Returned to the USA Bradley 24/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 26/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 13/12/45. MISSBEHAVIN RAVEN.


Edit: The Radio Operator and Gunner (and mechanic) on the Missbehaven Raven was Staff Sergeant Paul Frank Ferrara. He was in the 34th Bombardment Group, 7th Bomb Squadron. He was decorated with the American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle East Ribbon, two Bronze Battle Stars, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 34th Bomb Group
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 7th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-780560
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Paul Frank Ferrara
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 7th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32 918 391
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator, Mechanic, and ROM Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 7th Bomb Squadron
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 7th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-700046
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Missions

43-38280: Gallery (2 items)