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42-107039
12/15/2017 11:46:36 AM | Hi All;
I just wanted to post here regarding a chance find that I made the other day. Back in 1992, I started researching the history of B-17G-35-DL 42-107039 "Ice Cold Katy" of the 612th BS. I managed to gather a fairly comprehensive day by day combat diary of "Katy" from her arrival at Deenethorpe in March 1944 until her return to the US after 108 missions.
I corresponded with Lt Richard Guy who flew "Katy" back to the US, and that information more or less closed the story. However, in those 25 years, I often scanned the many photos of the B-17s lined up at Kingman, Arizona in the hope that I would spot "Katy". Of course, I never did spot her amongst the 7000 or so aircraft parked there. After all, what would the chances be?
That was until last Saturday evening. During a bit of online surfing, I found the following image....
fa_721_rowsb17s1940 by Steven Steven, on Flickr
I had probably seen this photograph before in books, but I had not stumbled upon it online. I then discovered I could zoom in and have a closer look....
Ice Cold Katy Kingman by Steven Steven, on Flickr
...And there she was! "Ice Cold Katy" at Kingman. I practically fell off my seat in amazement! So, a 25 year search came to an end and so too, the final chapter of my research.
I just felt the need to share it here!
Best regards;
Steve
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donaldbyers
12/23/2017 1:36:10 AM | Am glad that you have completed your quest. We lost a number of our AC in Europe and also here at home to the scrapyard that could have been photographed prior to their dismay.
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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42-107039
12/23/2017 12:40:21 PM | Hi Don;
It's funny though how these quests of ours never really finish, but finding that photo of "katy" at Kingman has been a long held wish.
For example, I stumbled across this really interesting blog the other day written by Tom Parks. It's all about John "Richard" McMuarray...co-pilot on Richard McCord's crew with the 612th, and a regular crew of Ice Cold Katy. I corresponded with Richard McCord many years ago, so it was very nice to read this interesting article. I also hadn't been aware that John McMurray's son was the well known actor, Sam McMurray. Anyhow, here's the link to the blog....
https://aboxofoldletters.com/2017/02/16/sams-father-a-co-pilots-story/comment-page-1/#comment-183
It's always satisfying to find another thread in your research!
Best regards;
Steve
P.S. You probably wouldn't remember, but we had a brief chat at a Flying Legends at Duxford several years back. I think you were here with a reunion.
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