r182097

Believe it or not, this Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, USAAF Ser. No. 44-6393, "Starduster," is still extant and on display at the March Field Air Museum near Riverside, California. See: www.marchfield.org/exhibits/b-17-flying-fortress/ Here is an April 2016 photo of the aircraft by Flickr user 2 Wiice: www.flickr.com/photos/yesiwood/26622394221/

A Douglas - Long Beach-built B-17G (B-17G-50-DL) Flying Fortress, USAAF Ser. No. 44-6430 (c/n 22653). As per the Joe Baugher site: www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_1.html

Failed to return from a mission to railway marshalling yards at Maribor, Slovenia, Yugoslavia 7Nov44 (3KIA:4POW:3EVD). The plane was struck by flak just as it started the bomb run. No.1 engine received a direct hit knocking off the propeller. The engine was burning from the fore part with flames extending the length of the nacelle. Shortly after, the plane started to veer back and in towards the rear element which caused considerable confusion. Then, the pilot seemed to start a very slow turn to the right, losing considerable altitude. The fire intensity was growing. The crew began to bail out as the plane exploded and crashed Slovenske Konjice, Slovenia, Yugoslavia

Boeing B-17F-115-BO Flying Fortress 42-30631 was the ship used to test the improved nose section armament for the B-17G-1-BO series in mid-'43. Retaining the added "cheek" .50 cal MGs of the late B-17F but with a reversed stagger and added visibility though bulging the front of the side windows, the G Model became the most produced and most remembered version of the Flying Fortress.