chobi
Registered: 01/04/09
Posts: 7
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Reply with quote | #1 |
Hello,
B-17G 42-31844 ''The Swoose 1944 Model'' from the 772nd BS
- how many missions this ship flew during its combat career in the 772nd?
- did Col. Kurtz piloted it on every each mission, or no?
Any help is appreciated!
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Swindy
Moderator
Registered: 05/04/06
Posts: 141
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Reply with quote | #2 |
I don't have the records for each of the bombers in the group as to how many missions they flew. Wish I did.
And no, Col. Kurtz did not pilot the plane each time it flew. In fact, Col. Kurtz was not first pilot on most missions he flew. He flew as 2nd pilot most of the time, which was typical when the Group or Squadron CO flew. Not to say he never flew as first pilot but not often.
Edit:
I wish to make something clear....it was not 'typical' of Squadron CO's to fly as co-pilots but it was not uncommon either. I know Major Patton (772nd) and Major Tolle (774th) and Major Allyn (775th) regularly flew as first pilot. I'm not sure about the 773rd CO.
__________________
Joel
463rd BG Historian
Proud son of 1/Lt Leroy J. Swindlehurst (1921-1950)
Navigator, 772nd Squadron
Joel@463rd.org
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rrood41828
Registered: 07/12/06
Posts: 20
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Reply with quote | #3 |
I remember my dad (who was chief armorer of C flight, which included the Swoose) saying that Col. Kurtz kept the plane grounded for a time because he was concerned that something might happen to it, and that higher-ups ordered the plane back into the air. I have no further information on this, and there is no mention of it in Dad's diary. |
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chobi
Registered: 01/04/09
Posts: 7
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Reply with quote | #4 |
Thanks for the answers.
One more thing please:
Did ''The Swoose'' had any nose art/ inscription/ mission markings/ whatever on the opposite, left side of her nose?
I saw photos of her right side only.
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Swindy
Moderator
Registered: 05/04/06
Posts: 141
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Reply with quote | #5 |
To my knowledge, no it did not have any markings/nose art/waist art, etc. on the left side of the plane. It was pretty much identical in markings to the original Swoose which Kurtz flew in the Pacific Theater.
__________________
Joel
463rd BG Historian
Proud son of 1/Lt Leroy J. Swindlehurst (1921-1950)
Navigator, 772nd Squadron
Joel@463rd.org
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