B-17 "Knucklehead" (Pacific Theatre)

[Mortain44]

I am looking for photo and/or information on a Pacific Theatre B-17 nicknamed "Knucklehead". If anyone can post, send or refer me to a photo ... great! I missed an earlier opportunity to get a ground photo of the plane with flight crew. Any assistance is appreciated! Internet searches aren't generating any leads so far.



Thanks.

[Micdrow]

Wow, hard subject there, I havent seen to many books on B-17's in the pacific. Osprey has one but I didnt see a picture of the aircraft you are looking for in the book I have. I have a couple of more books to look through but have my doubts. Maybe some one else will have something.

By the way welcome to the board.

Paul

[Mortain44]

Thanks, Paul ...

I really appreciate the effort. I understand that there are records of either tail numbers or serial numbers, so it would be great if I can get a photo with the tail number ... then I can research. I am kicking myself for missing out on the photo on ebay, as I believe it had the ground-crew's names listed underneath. Also, a while back, I found a link to a site that had a brief service description, but that site link no longer works.

Again, much appreciated.
Vic

[Micdrow]

Vic you could try this tactic, start searching for websites of B-17 Bomber groups that served in the pacfic. Some web sites list B-17 aircraft names that where known to fly with a squadron and go from there.

Hopfully that will help.

Paul

[Mortain44]

Thanks again, Paul. I've begun researching some of the unit websites based on your pdf listing. I think your list will be of great assistance. I'm also considering the purchase of a couple of books specific to B-17s in the Pacific.

Vic

[Micdrow]

Thanks again, Paul. I've begun researching some of the unit websites based on your pdf listing. I think your list will be of great assistance. I'm also considering the purchase of a couple of books specific to B-17s in the Pacific.

Vic

Your welcome Vic!!!!

[rsbarber]

Dear Vic,
I ran across your post on this site and I am also looking for info on the same plane. I know some things about it and the crew but was wondering if you had been able to locate a picture. Tail No. 41-9222, "Knucklehead", 341st BS (originally 50 Recon in HI), 11th BG, Pacific Theater near Guadalcanal, returned to US. I have one old photo of the first crew, which my grandfather served as lower/ball turret gunner, Pilot was Wessman. It would be great if we could compare notes. Stan.

[Wurger]

This is an old thread posted in 2009. I'm not sure if Mortain44 is still around here.

[Wurger]

This is an old thread posted in 2009. I'm not sure if Mortain44 is still around here. Please , try to send him an e-mail via the site rather.

[Mortain44]

RS ... I'll send an email, but back when I researched, I didn't find anything of substance, and have no info myself. I believe that my Uncle Freddie may have have caught a ride back home from the Phillipines on the plane (is it called "deadheading" if you're not a pilot?). He was an ordnance/motorcycle mechanic in the Army and flew from the Phillipines to the West Coast on his trip home. He was a Harley-Davidson mechanic, racer and trick rider before and after the war, and apparently he remembered the name since the first Harley Overhead Valve motorcycle from Harley was nicknamed the Knucklehead. I have a 1940 Knucklehead and am interested in using the B-17s nose art (if any) on the motorcycle's tanks as a tribute (and maybe have the nose art or air plane painted on the back of a bomber jacket. Anyway, I'm sorry I can't help more with history for your dad. My dad and his 4 brothers all served in WWII and getting info is becoming very difficult, especially since many of the ARMY records from the time were destroyed in a fire. I'll email separately, but also wanted to let you know that the photo I saw on ebay some 4 years ago may have had names of the pictured crew as well.

[gumbyk]

This site may be a good place to start: Pacific Wrecks - B-17E "Knuckle Head / Li'l Nell" Serial Number 41-9222

Looks like it was renamed during its life.