this is a large format (12 x 15 inches) that shows five planes in formation; I assume they are B-17s; this was supposed to have come from a large collection related to March AFB in California. There are no markings on the back. There appear to be numbers on the noses of the aircraft. Can someone confirm that they are B-17s? and do the numbers reference specific planes? would there be any information on the specific planes and their service? thanks in advance!
Hi Milo, I can identify the second photo. The first photo could be from the same photo shoot. This is the early model Y1B-17: 2nd BG Y1B-17 BB10 USAAF #36-155 Construction #: 1979 Designation: BB10 Boeing model 299B 56 flights Here is a more detailed story investigated by Joe Baugher: 155 (MSN 1979) Delivered to USAAC. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron [10], 2nd Bomb Group, Langley Field, Hampton, VA 1Jun37. TDY to March Field, Riverside, CA Jan38; featured in the film ‘Test Pilot’ (1938). Took part in goodwill trip to honor the inauguration of President Roberto M. Ortiz in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Departed Langley Field 15Feb38 to Miami, FL; Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile to El Palomar Field, Buenos Aires arriving 18Feb38. The aircraft flew over the city as part of the inaugural ceremony 20Feb38. Return departure 22Feb38 to Santiago, Chile; Panama and then direct to Langley Field, arriving 27Feb38. 19th Bomb Group, March Field, Riverside, CA Oct40. Accident at Langley Field, Hampton, VA 5Jan42. Designated RB-17 22Oct42. Middletown Air Depot, Middletown Field, PA 12Nov42. SOC 29Jan43. Best regards Finn Buch
oh!! thanks Finn Buch ! it's all from the same photo - second one is just zoomed in to the larger photo - i can post the rest - great information!! here are more photos; thanks; one appears to say "50"; one "60"; the other 2 further away hard to tell; they appear to have been a squadron? (at least flying together...); i see the first one ("10") was "TDY to March Field, Riverside, CA Jan38" so maybe the other ones were too? this seems to be an interesting photo with the early experimental B-17s? that is great!
I have tried to piece the Y1B-17 aircraft numbers together from various sources: Serial Numbers 36-149 to 161 149 - 150 #60 151 #80 152 #50 153 #61 154 #81 155 #10 156 #51 157 #62 158 #82 159 #52 160 #63 161 #53 or 89? Here is the link with the aircraft serial numbers: 1930-1937 USAAC Serial Numbers Boeing B-17 Fortress By the way, you can find the aircraft in the movie Test Pilot from 1938. Good luck with the research!
