Posted:
By: Win Bryson
On: 06/19/2004
|
The National Archives' photo 65531AC shows "IN-L", landing at Deenethorpe, co-pilot's side view, wheels down. It's an 'early B-17G" (camo paint) and with no tail 'stripe', just the 'triangle-S', with serial number below, and 'squadron formation letter' below that. Reading the fuselage markings from tail-to-nose, it's: "L"; waist gun window; 'star'; and "IN".
Another National Archives' photo of "IN-L", A-27177AC, pilot's side view, shows the fuselage markings, reading front to back: "IN"; Star"; waist gun opening; "L". The tail markings look the same, left or right side view.
Just to 'confuse' things a little more, National Archives' photo 5253AC, showing a large formation, pilot's side view, has a silver 401BG B-17G in the foreground with fuselage markings, reading front to rear (pilot's side view): "Star"; waist gun port' "IW"; "G". This aircraft has the tail-stripe. Its serial number on the tail looks like 2107084.
And on National Archives' photo 65514AC, of silver 401BG B-17Gs lined-up on their hardstands, shows the pilot's side view of another silver B-17G with the tail stripe. The serial no. looks like 338610. Its left-side fuselage reads, front to back: "Star"; waist gun port; "SC"; "V".
Caveat: Late model B-17Gs had the waist gun windows staggered - the early models had them back-to-back. But I don't know which side was forward, and if that affected the 'squadron/formation' lettering locations or not.
I don't have any info on paint colors.
Win
|