B-17G 42-37781

Aircraft Details

Serial Number: 42-37781
Name: SILVER DOLLAR
Manufacturer: Built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, B-17G-10-DL, Camouflage
Squadron: 546th Bombardment Squadron (H)
Squadron ID Code: 546th‑BK*U
Ground Crew Chiefs: Priesnitz, Frank Joseph, Jr
McKinney, Lauren Lee
Start Date: 2 November 1943. Transferred: Received from 1 BAD, Burtonwood..
Missions: This aircraft was credited with 5 combat missions with the 384th.
End Date: 9 March 1944. Failed to return from combat operations.
Related Documents:Missing Air Crew Report # 3005 (31.437 MB)
Accident Report # 43-12-26-507 (1.822 MB)
Photo Album: Aircraft 42-37781 Photo Album
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B-17G Aircraft 42-37781 Was Assigned To 7 Missions Manned by 384th BG Personnel,
Earning Combat Credit For 5 Of Them
Number Date Target Results Mission/Sortie Information
3829 November 1943Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany
Completed MissionLanded away at 'Coltishall' (or 'Cottishall'). Intelligence Officer report, item 6, includes the statement: 'A/C 781, Lt. TAYLOR, Pilot has reported one killed and three wounded men aboard at landing.' The wounded individuals are not identified.
Sortie Report
4420 December 1943Target: Port Area/Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
4624 December 1943Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Croisette, France
Completed MissionComposite group.
Sortie Report
--26 December 1943Training
(Non-Combat)
Crashed In Allied TerritoryFollowing a routine practice mission, the right main landing gear would not extend. Pilot was directed to fly to Little Staughton, AAF Station 127, and make a belly landing there. This was accomplished with no injury to crew.
Sortie Report
726 March 1944Target: Erkner Ball-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany
Aborted Mission After Taking Off.High Squadron deputy, high group, 40th Composite Combat Bomb Wing. Returned to base after group leader abandoned attempt to join assigned combat wing.
Sortie Report
738 March 1944Target: Erkner Ball-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany
Completed Mission Sortie Report
749 March 1944Target: Heinkel Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oranienburg, Germany
Failed To ReturnLost after bombs away when bombs from high group (379BG) hit this aircraft, knocking tail completely off in front of stabilizer; aircraft dived straight down into a spin with all four engines going; no chutes observed. MACR 3005
Sortie Report