B-17G-5-BO 42-31145
708th SQ — E
Gilleran crew, 708th Harvard AAB, October 1943
Hi-Jinx was flown to England in late November by the Gilleran crew, who named the aircraft. On board were:
| 2nd Lt. Thomas W. Gilleran, P |
| 2nd Lt. Henry E. Mamlock, CP |
| 2nd Lt. Richard L. Lazarus, N |
| 2nd Lt. Marion O. McGurer, B |
| S/Sgt. Charles H. McHugh, ENG |
| T/Sgt. Harley H. Tuck, ROG |
| S/Sgt. Eugene A. Kealer, BTG |
| S/Sgt. Fred T. Hawley, WG |
| Sgt. M.D. Harris, WG |
| Sgt. Neal R. Dill, TG |
The transit is fully described in Harley Tuck’s Wartime Diary.
The origin and attribution of the name “Old Man,” given for this aircraft by Roger Freeman in B-17 Flying Fortress Story, and Wallace Forman in B-17 Nose Art Name Directory are unknown.
Flight listings for 42-31145
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 |
| #3 (31-Dec-43) | Cognac, France | Widstrom, R. G. | 865 was scratched, took plane assigned to Rozmus |
| #6 (07-Jan-44) | Ludwigshafen, Germany | Hudson, W. C. | Ret’d / No Takeoff in #882 / Eng trouble |
| #7 (11-Jan-44) | Brunswick, Germany | Rozmus, H. A. | |
| #9 (21-Jan-44) | Grand Parc, France | Gilleran, T. W. | |
| #10 (24-Jan-44) | Frankfurt, Germany | Gilleran, T. W. | |
| #12 (30-Jan-44) | Brunswick, Germany | Gilleran, T. W. | |
| #13 (03-Feb-44) | Wilhelmshaven, Germany | Gilleran, T. W. | |
| #14 (04-Feb-44) | Frankfurt, Germany | Harris, C, W. | slated #186 |
| #15 (05-Feb-44) | Romilly-sur-Seine, France | Rozmus, H. A. | |
| #16 (06-Feb-44) | Evreux-Fauville, France | Reed, A. S. | MISSING |
On the way to a supply depot target in France on February 6, 1944, Hi-Jinx was hit by flak, killing or gravely wounding its pilot, Lt. Allen Reed, and navigator, Lt. James Campbell.
Co-pilot Lt. Arthur L. Clark gave the order for the rest of the crew to bail out, but remained, fighting the controls to prevent the aircraft from crashing into the town of Wissous. Lt. Clark died when Hi-Jinx crashed into an empty field outside of town. Bombardier Lt. Thomas Wilkins was shot by German soldiers, either while parachuting or immediately after landing. The rest of the crewmen were captured.
Memorial to Lts. Campbell, Clark, Reed and Wilkins in the public park “L’Espace Arthur Clark” at the crash site of 42-31145
Memorial dedication in France, 2005
The Reed Crew:
| Lt. Allen S. Reed | Pilot | KIA |
| 2Lt. Arthur L. Clark | Co-Pilot | KIA |
| 2Lt. James A. Campbell | Navigator | KIA |
| 2Lt. Thomas G. Wilkins | Bombardier | KIA |
| T/Sgt. William F. Davidge | Engineer | POW |
| T/Sgt. Edmund G. Harma | Radio Operator | POW |
| S/Sgt. James W. Alexander | Waist Gunner | POW |
| S/Sgt. Benjamin A. Denny | Waist Gunner | POW |
| S/Sgt Paul G. Boles | Ball Turret Gunner | POW |
| S/Sgt. Robert T. Russ | Tail Gunner | POW |
William B Rudisill: We got up 2 to 3 hrs. before take-off time to pre-flight the airplane etc. Armament, ordinance, radio people also checked out the plane. sometimes had to top off the gas tanks after preflight if it was a long mission. Sweat the plane out for 5 to 8 hours, guide the plane back to its position on the hardstand. Greet the crew! Then work 2 or 3 hours to 24 or 36 hours for the next ‘max effort mission – rain, snow or shine. But it was Exciting!
Combat Missions (previously compiled)
| No. | Date | Target | Pilot |
| 3 | 12/31/43 | COGNAC | Rozmus |
| 6 | 01/07/44 | LUDWIGSHAFEN | Kruezer |
| 7 | 01/11/44 | BRUNSWICK | Rozmus |
| 9 | 01/21/44 | NOBALL NO. 107 | Gilleran |
| 10 | 01/24/44 | FRANKFURT | Gilleran |
| 12 | 01/30/44 | BRUNSWICK | Gilleran |
| 13 | 02/03/44 | WILHELMSHAVEN | Gilleran |
| 14 | 02/04/44 | FRANKFURT | Harris |
| 15 | 02/05/44 | ROMILLY | Rozmus |
| 16 | 02/06/44 | EVREUX-FAUVILLE | Reed |
Some photos/information provided by:
Some information and/or images sourced from the American Air Museum database