42-3483 Chopstick A-Able
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FRE 2008
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3483) of the 482nd Bomb Group takes off. B-17G-1-DL 42-3483 MI-A was the first in a batch of twelve B-17s modified in the USA with pre-production AN/APS-15 H2X "Mickey" PFF radar sets under the supervision of the 812th Bombardment Squadron's commanding officer, Captain Fred A Rabo. This batch had the scanner radome installed under a fairing behind the chin turret (seen partially censored out in the photograph) rather than in the ball turret position as on later H2X-equipped aircraft. After her combat service the radar equipment was removed and refitted in a deHavilland Mosquito, being smaller than the production version. In April 1944 she was transferred to the 401st Bombardment Group to serve as a VHF radio relay ship, a function she continued to serve following her transfer to VIII Fighter Command in July 1944.
Roger Freeman Collection
482BG records (ARG Archive, Alconbury)
Delivered Denver 20/6/43; Rome 7/8/43; Assigned with H2S 812BS/482BG [MI-A] Alconbury 10/43; 384BG Grafton Underwood 14/4/44; transferred 401BG Deenethorpe 17/4/44; became radio-relay with 8th Fighter Command 22/7/44; Returned to the USA Bradley 12/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 30/12/45. CHOPSTICK A-ABLE.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- 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: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12148350
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator/ Aerial Gunner/ Aerial Gunner Instructor
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Benefield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Assigned |
14 April 1944 | Transferred to the 384th BG | |
Assigned |
17 April 1944 | Transferred to the 401st BG | |
Delivered |
|||
Assigned |
Equipped with H2S 482BG 812BS |
Revisions
ContributorPaul Bellamy
Changes
Sources
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log
482BG records (ARG Archive, Alconbury)