42-31100 THE GIMP

B-17G-1-BO 42-31100

709th SQ — B

 

Harvard photo, dated October 27, 1943, with an unidentified crew

 

One of the original Harvard aircraft, 42-31100 “B” The Gimp, was assigned to the 709th squadron and arrived at Rattlesden in November 1943.

 

Flight listings for 42-31100

These lists are NOT limited to officially credited Combat missions, and may include Aborts, returns and non-takeoff occurrences as well.

447th Mission (Date) Target Pilot Notes
#1 (24-Dec-43) Droinville, France Nance, E. T.  
#2 (30-Dec-43) Ludwigshafen, Germany Tigh, W. P.  
#3 (31-Dec-43) Cognac, France Lewis, H. E. ABORT, returned before coast
#7 (11-Jan-44) Brunswick, Germany Lewis, H. E.  
#8 (14-Jan-44) Grand Parc, France Beaty, E. E.  
#9 (21-Jan-44) Grand Parc, France Larson, W. B.  
#11 (29-Jan-44) Frankfurt, Germany Lewis, H. E. ABORT Oil Pressure #1
#12 (30-Jan-44) Brunswick, Germany Lewis, H. E.  
#15 (05-Feb-44) Romilly-sur-Seine, France McGuire, H. A.  
#19 (13-Feb-44) Pas de Calais, Marquenville, France Lewis, H. E.  
#20 (20-Feb-44) Rostock, Germany Tigh, W. P.  
#21 (21-Feb-44) Diepholz, Germany Skinner, E. H.  
#22 (24-Feb-44) Rostock, Germany McGuire, H. A. long delay
#44 (09-Apr-44) Warnemunde, Germany Zanoya, P. C. Landed at Harwick
#56 (29-Apr-44) Berlin, Germany Zanoya, P. C. ABORT; Oil failure
#57 (30-Apr-44) Clermont Ferrand, France Zanoya, P. C.  
#94 (21-Jun-44) Berlin, Germany Miller, G. H.  
#95 (22-Jun-44) Nucourt, France Skalitsky, S. B. ABORT #1 Engine
#99 (25-Jun-44) Vercors, France Area #1 Hilding, R. D.  
#104 (07-Jul-44) Meresburg, Germany Milks, H. J.  
#108 (13-Jul-44) Munich, Germany Miller, G. H. AB Spare
#109 (14-Jul-44) Area 10, France Miller, G. H.  
#110 (16-Jul-44) Stuttgart, Germany Bloecker, W. R. spare
#112 (19-Jul-44) Ebelsbach, Germany Mahl, D. E. AB Spare
#113 (20-Jul-44) Merseburg, Germany Mahl, D. E.  
#115 (24-Jul-44) St. Lo, France Lazzarini, H.  
#116 (25-Jul-44) St. Lo, France Lazzarini, H. ABORT Oil leak
#117 (27-Jul-44) Ostend, Belgium Skalitsky, S. B.  
#120 (04-Aug-44) Arras – Ostend, Belgium Skalitsky, S. B.  
#122 (07-Aug-44) Anizy le Chateau, France Lazzarini, H.  
#123 (08-Aug-44) Bretteville sur Laise, France Gormly, R. P.  
#124 (09-Aug-44) Aachen, Germany Schimandle, F. J.  
#182 (06-Dec-44) Merseburg, Germany Bates, W. F.  
#184 (11-Dec-44) Koblenz, Germany Bates, W. F.  
#186 (15-Dec-44) Hannover, Germany Bates, W. F. Flew with the 94th Group
#187 (18-Dec-44) Mainz, Germany Baker, J. G.  
#188 (24-Dec-44) Babenhausen, Germany Cohen, E.  
#189 (28-Dec-44) Koblenz, Germany Bates, W. F.  
#191 (31-Dec-44) Wenzendorf, Germany Olson, G. E.  
#192 (01-Jan-45) Dollberg, Germany Beighley, W. L. CRASHED after T/O

 

 

On New Year’s Day, 1945, during takeoff in fog and heavy clouds, The Gimp stalled and made a belly landing at the far end of the runway. Lt. Beighley‘s crew survived, but the aircraft was written off and salvaged.

 

 

 

National Archives photo (date unknown, but before January 1945) of The Gimp and aircraft from several groups during refit or modifications at a repair depot (probably the Strategic Air Depot Honington). The Gimp was damaged over Dollenbergen on New Years Day 1945, and crash landed at the base. It was written off and salvaged.

 

 


Some photos/information provided by:

Some information and/or images sourced from the American Air Museum database