44-83279

B-17G-75-DL, built by Douglas in Long Beach, California in January 1945 and delivered to the 711th Squadron in Rattlesden in February.  Probably the last new ship delivered to the group.

Combat Missions:

No DATE TARGET PILOT
1 03/20/45 HAMBURG Kubik
2 03/21/45 WITTMUNDHAFEN Baker
3 03/22/45 HELBERT AREA Wright
4 03/23/45 HOLZWICKEDE Wright
5 03/28/45 HANOVER Thomas
6 03/30/45 HAMBURG Wright
7 03/31/45 BRANDENBURG Kubik
8 04/03/45 KIEL Baker
9 04/04/45 KIEL Gardner
10 04/05/45 NURNBERG Thompson
11 04/07/45 SCHWERIN Kubik
12 04/08/45 PLAUEN Kurtz
13 04/09/45 NEWBURG A/F Gardner
14 04/10/45 BRANDENBURG Gardner
15 04/14/45 ROYAN AREA Tapply
16 04/15/45 ROYAN AREA Tapply
17 04/16/45 ROYAN AREA Maxwell
18 04/17/45 DRESDEN Brunett
19 04/19/45 DRESDEN Loyd
20 04/21/45 INGLOSTADT Rhodes

 

During a formation practice flight, one day after the 447th ended combat operations, Lt. Robert Chowning and Lt. George Herring in 42-97572 were caught up in prop wash and drifted into No. 279.  No. 572's landing gear took the top off of 279's tail.  Both ships returned to base and landed safely.

 

44-83279 was repaired and returned to the US in July, 1945.  
It was scrapped at Kingman in 1946.