Aircraft History
Evacuated from the Philippines where it served with the 9th BG.

Wartime History
On July 4, 1942, this B-17 piloted by Captain Felix Hardison led the bombing mission against Lae Airfield.

Mission History
During a pre-dawn mission by six B-17s were to bomb Lae. When about to begin taxing on Horn Island, this bomber collided with B-17E 41-2460 piloted by Bechtold and torn off this bomber's nose. There were only minor injuries to the crews of each bomber. Luckily, according to take off procedures, the nose of this bomber was empty.

References
Horn Island mentions this loss pages 198 - 199
Thanks to Richard Rudd for additional information

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Last Updated
November 8, 2009

B-17