42-97325 Lucky Penny
AAF accident report
Available: 18 February 1944 - Boeing Aircraft Co, Seattle, Washington
Cheyenne Modification Center: 25 February 1944
Grand Island AAF: 8 March 1944
Grenier AAF: 20 March 1944
Assigned: 7 April 1944 - 8th AF / 94th CBW / 508BS / 351BG - (RAF Polebrook)
17 combat missions
Mid-air collision: Tuesday, 23 May 1944 @ 0635 hrs (Pilot error)
8th AF mission: 364 / 351st BG mission: 131 (Epinal, France – Marshalling yard)
Collision with B-24J-140-CO #42-110172 (Pilot: 1Lt Kenneth C Barton)
The lead box (B wing), which Lt. Crowe was leading the low squadron, was assembling in a left hand circle around Splasher #6. As it turned to a northerly heading, one group of B-24s passed in front on a west heading.
A second group of B-24s, approaching from the east failed to turn in time. This formation had its back to the sun that made seeing them, from the B-17 formation, almost impossible.
#3 & 4 engine & outboard wing of #42-97325 struck just forward of the left waist window of the B-24, causing #42-110172 to shear in two.
AAF accident report: 44-5-24-510
(note: date on accident report is in error -- date should be 44-5-23)
Crashed marshlands Hoxne, Suffolk, Salvaged.
In 1972 an engine from Lt. Crowe's aircraft was recovered and restored and is now
displayed in the 390th BG Museum at Parham.
Pete Crowe, Co-pilot: Norris Nelson, Navigator: Bob Russeth, Bombardier: Frank Rubin, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gerald Fiebelkorn, Tail gunner: Frank Lopez (6 Killed in Action). Radio Operator: Theo Popp, Ball turret gunner: Edwin Harden, Waist gunner: Joe Duggan (all 3 injured but Returned to Duty).
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Places
Missions
Revisions
Added a connection to the 8th AF Mission #364 for 23 May 1944 listed in the A/C Description section.
Added Production block number and Manufacturer per info on the internet.
SOURCE: https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/production-block/b-17g-45-bo-42-97173-4…
Corrected a typo in the "Summary biography" - "Splasher" was misspelled.
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.