Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 306th Bomb Group Color Photographs

The 306th was one of the first Bomb Group in the 8th Air Force to make the move to England, establishing itself at RAF Thurleigh in September 1942. The Group remained at Thurleigh throughout the war. Here is a B-17G with a Dodge ¾ ton “Beep” at disbursal at Thurleigh.

A pair of 306BG B-17Gs in flight showing the Groups’ markings. Nearest to the camera is Serial Number 44-6515, a Douglas-built B-17G-55-DL which survived her tour to be scrapped after the war.

44-6515 again from another angle. She was named “Larrupin Lou” by her crew.

A series of photographs showing Fortresses of the 367th Bomb Squadron flying in formation. 44-6604 appears new, she was from the B-17G-55-DL production lot. (IWM)

Panning right we have a better view of, 44-8676 named “Col. Kearney’s Rebels”. She was a pathfinder, substituting an H2X (AN/APS-15) bombing radar in place of the Sperry ball turret in the belly position. The radar was used to image the ground through overcast. (IWM)

44-8676 again from the same series. (IWM)

“Eager Beaver” was B-17F serial 41-24487 assigned to the 306th Bomb Group. She completed 45 missions and survived the war. (IWM)

The 423rd Bomb Squadron’s “Naughty Nancy” 43-39116 was a Boeing-built B-17G-105-BO, seen here at Thurleigh. She survived the war to be scrapped in Germany. (IWM)

“Elizabeth’s Own” serial number 44-8516 was assigned to the 423rd Bomb Squadron. She was a B-17G-70-VE and survived the war.

HRH Princess Elizabeth was the namesake of B-17G-55-BO serial 42-102547 “Rose of York”, and is seen here with the 306th’s CO Colonel Claud Putnam after christening the aircraft with a bottle of cider on 06JUL44. The Aircraft was originally named “Princess Elizabeth”, but the name was changed to avoid the potential for negative propaganda if she were to be shot down. Rose of York was hit by flak over Germany in February 1945 and was lost with her crew in the English Channel after completing 62 missions. (IWM)

An atmospheric photograph of 306th Bomb Group Fortresses at altitude trailing contrails. (IWM)

490th Bomb Group color photographs here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2019/05/29/color-b-17g-flying-fortress-nose-art-of-the-490-bomb-group/