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Paul Bellamy
5/29/2008 1:45:11 PM | From the National Archives gallery is this photo showing the parachute-retaining strap, inside an unidentified aircraft.
The identity of the aircraft has been staring me in the face for ages and I didn't recognise it! 🤦
The number stencilled on the radio room bulkhead is the manufacturer's contract number, and is unique to each aircraft.
Contract number 731x is for part of block B-17G-40-VE.
That block started with 42-97936, which results in ten possible aircraft, 42-97946 to 42-97955.
Two of these aircraft were allocated to the 401st, '947 and '953.
The photo is dated 22nd November 1944, and '953 IY-N (615th) was lost on the 13th of July 1944.
This leaves 42-97947 SC-U of the 612th Bomb Squadron.
'947 was a PFF ship, which accounts for the oddly flat-topped ball turret (Actually the top of the H2X radar scanner) and the "black boxes" visible in the background.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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donaldbyers
5/29/2008 7:07:16 PM | Way to go Paul. I would have never thought of it, but being in the Army I wouldn't have known that at all.
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Paul Bellamy
5/29/2008 7:23:03 PM | Thanks Don,
I wonder if anyone recognises the chap in the photo.
He's in all three of the "parachute modification" retaining strap photos. The one above and one in the nose were taken the same day, presumably in the same aircraft from the extra (PFF-related) instruments in the bombardier's position.
The other photo was taken a month earlier, and the strap only has a single clip at the parachute end.
Looks to be another 612th Squadron aircraft from the visible part of the code. It might be possible to narrow down the identity of the other plane, as there wouldn't have been too many painted B-17s (with a pin-up pasted over the door) in the 612th by October '44.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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