b17flyingfortress

This plane is actually the famous Hell's Angels from the 303rd Bomb Group, B-17F #42-24577 (358BS) VK-D. This information is provided by www.303rdBG.com. Please see www.303rdbg.com/pp-hellsangelscrew.html In the photo: On top of the aircraft from Left to Right: S/Sgt David Miller (TG), S/Sgt James H. Comer, Jr. (LWG), S/Sgt Frank Kimotek (R), S/Sgt Alfred R. Buinicky (BT), S/Sgt Walter Gasser (AE/RWG), T/Sgt M.D. Ignaczewski (E), 1Lt William J. Monahan (P), 1Lt Ripley W. Joy (P), 2Lt William P. Maher (N), 2Lt Walter Hargrove (B), On propeller hub: Crew Chief Fabian Folmer Ground Crewmen on scaffolding: (Back L-R) Edward A. West, Jr., John R. Kosilla, Wilson Fairfield (Front L-R) John R. Johnson, Earnest Touhey, Kasmer Weygrayn On the bomb: unknown Armorers In the Jeep: Major Kirk R. Mitchell

A Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress (USAAF Ser. No. 41-2599), "Tugboat Annie" with an interesting combat history. As per the Joe Baugher site: www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1941_1.html

[D]elivered to Lowry Feb 26, 1942; transferred to Hamilton Jun 7, 1942; assigned to 19BG/96BS at Hickam, Hawaii Aug 1942; transferred to 43BG/65BS, ditched at sea Jan 16, 1943. Took part in the Battle of Midway.

Perhaps you should explain why you tag this as 44-85531? Short answer is that General Enterprises thought they had bought that one, but somebody with the Agency must have checked because already after some 8 months in use the FAA was notified they wanted to change the identity of the aircraft. N207EV was the new registration this aircraft got in March 1979. For all James Bond fans, this was the aircraft used in the film Thunderball from 1965. The Fulton gear was still intact by then. Stig