42-32059 Poltergeist, Vagabond
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FRE 1341
AJ Ardzinski, a tail gunner of the 385th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32059) nicknamed "Poltergeist". Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on reverse: ' AJ Ardzinski- Tail gunner. Fred Heiser crew 550th BS, 385th BG, B-17G-35-BO "Poltergeist" 42-32059.' Bivens enclosed a letter with the print: 7-14-03, Hello Roger, Got another “Mystery B-17” for you. Just recently obtained the enclosed prints from slides taken by the co-pilot Bob James in the photos. As noted, he was KIA flying a Mossie after his 385th BG tour. He shared some of the slides with crew members, my copies coming from the gunner Julius King....This crew’s assigned B-17G shows up in photo No 2 They called the plane “Poltergeist” but Mr King says he doesn’t think it was ever painted on the plane. They later were shot down while flying 43-38156. If you have any info on 42-107054, let me know…..’ This plane was also called "Vagabond" according to the 385th records. 42-107054 is known as "Vat 69" (we have nose art of her as well)
Roger Freeman Collection
official 385th records
Delivered Denver 21/1/44; Cheyenne 25/1/44; Gr Island 17/2/44; Grenier 10/3/44; Assigned 550BS/385BG [SG- ] Gt Ashfield 12/3/44; Missing in Action Merseburg 27/8/44 with Otho Quick, Co-pilot: Francis Kapler, Navigator: Stan Lamica, Bombardier: Dave Spillane, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ken Pierson, Radio Operator: Howard Gilchrist, Ball turret gunner: Wayne McCall, Waist gunner: Milton Bust,Tail gunner: Jack Mast; (9 Returned to Duty); ditched North SeaF. POLTERGEIST aka VAGABOND.
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: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12150071
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group
- Role/Job: Pilot / Operations Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-764447
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield