Delivered Cheyenne 12/2/43; Fairfield 1/3/43; Gt Falls 28/3/43; Colorado Springs 6/4/43; converted to F-9 photo-recon Peterson 8/6/43; crash landed Lambert Fd, MO with Paul Cullen 9/6/43; Written off 17/6/43. `F-9`.



B-17F 42-29753 was a factory new aircraft flown to United Airlines Modification Center, Cheyenne Airport, Wyoming. This particular aircraft, even though it was destined for recon, had tail guns and a top turret with guns still installed at the time of the crash. Unlike the previous recon versions, some armament was retained in this version. This B-17F was one of the first batch of 16 converted to F-9 configuration. After being delivered to Cheyenne February 12, 1943, it was flown to Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base March 1, 1943.

It traveled to Great Falls Army Air Base March 28, 1943, then to Army Air Base, Peterson Field, Colorado Springs April 6, 1943 through June 8, 1943. It crash landed at Lambert Field, MO, with Paul Cullen at the controls, June 9, 1943, then written off June 17, 1943. Lambert Field was home to Curtiss-Wright, manufacturer of the engines used in B-17's. The B-17 was coming in for scheduled/routine maintenance.

Lambert Field had a short runway with a creek at the end. Cullen ran off the runway and slammed into the creek/ditch.

The crew of 8 on board consisted of 5 from Bolling Field, D.C. and 3 from Walla Walla Army Air Base.

2nd Lt. R. J. Borben of Walla Walla Wash. “cuts and bruises”

T/Sgt John F. Buecker of Bolling Field “cuts and bruises”

1st Lt. Manner C. Clements of Bolling Field fractured shoulder and hip

Cullen, Paul T ~ Pilot of Bolling Field “cuts and bruises” (broken back)

S/Sgt Raymond C Hedrick of Bolling Field head injury (died)

Sgt A. B. Jenemore of Walla Walla Wash. “cuts and bruises”

2nd Lt. M. D. Lee Co-Pilot of Bolling Field “cuts and bruises”

2nd Lt. H. E. Oberg of Walla Walla Wash. “cuts and bruises”

Staff Sgt Raymond C Hedrick, born 31 May 1923 in Oklahoma, United States, died two days later from complications from the crash.

Pilot Paul Cullen was relieved of this Command of the 1st Mapping Group in June 1943, following this aircraft accident in which he suffered a broken back with a prolonged recovery.