44-83279 GARDNER’S PARDNERS

B-17G-75-DL 44-83279

711th SQ — J

 

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.

 

Flight listings for 44-83279

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
#236 (20-Mar-45) Hamburg, Germany Kubik, K. C.  
#237 (21-Mar-45) Wittmundhafen, Germany Baker, J. G.  
#238 (22-Mar-45) Heibert, Germany area Wright, T. G.  
#239 (23-Mar-45) Holzwickede, Germany Wright, T. G.  
#241 (28-Mar-45) Hannover, Germany Thomas, V. R.  
#242 (30-Mar-45) Hamburg, Germany Wright, T. G.  
#243 (31-Mar-45) Salzwedel, Germany Kubik, K. C.  
#244 (03-Apr-45) Kiel, Germany Baker, J. G.  
#245 (04-Apr-45) Kiel, Germany Gardner, R. C. Leaflets
#246 (05-Apr-45) Nuremberg, Germany Thompson, R. H.  
#247 (07-Apr-45) Schwerin, Germany Kubik, K. C.  
#248 (08-Apr-45) Plauen, Germany Gardner, R. C.  
#249 (09-Apr-45) Neuburg, Germany Gardner, R. C.  
#250 (10-Apr-45) Brandenburg, Germany Gardner, R. C.  
#252 (14-Apr-45) Royan, France Tapply, P. C.  
#253 (15-Apr-45) Royan, France Tapply, P. C.  
#254 (16-Apr-45) Royan, France Maxwell, M. S. slated 283
#255 (17-Apr-45) Dresden, Germany Burnette, M. A.  
#256 (19-Apr-45) Dresden, Germany Loyd, T. N.  
#258 (21-Apr-45) Inglostadt, Germany Rhodes, S. R. LL has plane incorrect

 

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. (Photo dated April 22, 1945 from accident report)

 

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

 

 

 

SQ N/A; Involved in minor accident 4/22/45; RFC Kingman 11/22/45 (AFHRA Photo)

Delivered Lincoln 19/1/45; Grenier 12/2/45; Assigned 711BS/447BG Rattlesden 22/2/45; mid-air collision with 42-97572 (447BG) with Bob Kurtz, force landed 20 miles NW base 22/4/45; Returned to the USA Bradley 8/7/45; Sth Plains 10/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 22/11/45.

 

Combat Missions (previously compiled)

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

 

 

Some photos/information provided by:

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