Aircraft History
Delivered to Lt. Clyde B. Kelsey at Boeing Field on December 1,  1941.
Ferried overseas to Australia arriving at Garbutt Field. Assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group.

Wartime Service
Participated in the February 22-23, 1942 mission to Rabaul, pilot Harry Speith and co-pilot Lt. Fields. This bomber aborted due to poor weather and being unable to find the target, and returned to Garbutt.

Flew the July 3, 1942 mission when the crew claimed two Zeros south of Salamaua, and two of the crew (waist & bendix turret gunners) were wounded in the battle. Holes were made in the tail and the crew fought off 10 frontal attacks, 5 side attacks and three belly attacks in the 20 minute battle.

Later, transferred to the 435th Bombardment Squadron at Cloncurry Airfield when it was formed on March 14, 1942.

Guadalcanal Service
Three of the better B-17E's from the 19th Bomb Group were traded to the 394th Bombardment Squadron. This aircraft plus 41-2440, 41-2632 and 41-2658.

Assigned to the 13th AF, 5th Bombardment Group, 394th Bombardment Squadron on November 14, 1942 with crew chief Roy Davenport. and flew missions from Guadalcanal until the middle of 1943 and New Caledonia.

During this point in her service, this B-17 had the nose art "Calamity Jane" with a nude woman with her hands behind her head and a flower in her hair. At some point later, possibly when returning to the United States, the woman's nipples were painted out.

Declared war weary and sent back to the United States, arriving on March 7, 1944. Salvaged on June 15, 1946.

References
Thanks to Steve Birdsall for additional information
Wherefore the REAL 'Swamp Ghost' by Michael Claringbould
Grey Geese Calling includes a photo of this B-17
Some references incorrectly state this B-17 ditched off Duma Point

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Last Updated
November 8, 2009