Any B-17 history buffs here?

[Navy Chief]

Our local phamacist, now retired, is named R.K. Campbell, SR.

I just got off the phone, following a lengthy conversation with him about his time as a B-17 pilot during WW2.

One story he related, was when he was copilot of a B-17 ("Dirty Girty"). This aircraft was with the 15th Air Force, 99th Bomb Group, 347 Squadron.

"Dirty Girty" was hit by enemy fire, and had lost all trim control, but R.K. Campbell and his flight engineer managed to safely land the aircraft; shortly after 8 other crew members were told to bail out.

Anyway, just wondering if there is nose art pictures of this aircraft, and better yet, if a repaint is available for it.

By the way, I recently asked about a repaint for the B-17, "Stardust". That aircraft was flying the same day as "Dirty Girty", and she was shot down.

Pete

[Gdavis101]

I have a collection of books at home, I will check when I get home.. If I don't respond back, remind me.. Got a lot going on...

[Buddha13]

Hi,
Is this what you are looking for.

Buddha13

[Navy Chief]

Thanks Buddha! I don't know if that is it, but all I need to do is print it out, and show it to R.K. He lives only about 5 minutes from here.

NC

[Marlin]

There are some old pictures along with a good story.

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Runway/9601/Dykes.html

http://www.99bombgroup.org/images/9002.jpg

http://www.99bombgroup.org/

[Panther_99FS]

15AF eh?

I wonder if he had any Tuskegee escorts during his career.....:ques:

[Navy Chief]

Don't know Panther, but my father in law and I will be meeting with R.K. later this week, and I'll ask him.

NC

[Panther_99FS]

Nice to have that kind of authentic history running in the family...:mixedsmi:

[Wittpilot]

NavyChief...

Not only am I a bit of a 'B-17 nut' but... I am also a grandchild of a 99th BG vet. my grandfather flew with the 99th, including 5 missions to the Ploesti oil fields... before he moved on to the 8th AF in England...

AND.... he is, or was, one of the 99th main historians...... he actually wrote and composed the book they have on the website there "The Diamondbacks". AND...the painting on the cover is a painting my father did, as well as the squadron patches on the back which Marlin posted. So... that all being said...

There is indeed a photo of "Dirty Gertie" on page 18. Also... he has a database where if you give me a few days, I could tell you probably every mission he was on.

Serial # 25143 Dirty Gertie

347 SquadronAssigned to 301st BG Jan. 16 1943. Transferred to 99th BG Nov. 14 1943; 52 missions with 301st, 25 missions with 99th. To depot in March 1944. Returned to duty June 15, 1944. Weather AC from Aug. 6, 1944; transferred to 52nd Fighter Gp. Oct. 8, 1944. Salvaged overseas Nov. 2, 1944.


I do not have my scanner working right now, but I will try and maybe take a digital photo of the book for the nose art..... there is no artwork to speak of really... it was just the words "Dirty Gertie" on probably both sides, right side at least from the picture, right under the windows in the nose......

let me know if I can be of more assistance...

-Wittpilot

[Gdavis101]

Looks like you found it, I just remembered! Sorry.

[Navy Chief]

Hey Witt,

Thanks for the information! There's also a book called "Brother Bob's War", which according to R.K. Campbell, is another great source of information. I found it on Amazon.com, cheap. Pete

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933556250/sr=8-1/qid=1222866955/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1222866955&sr=8-1&seller=

[guzler]

Hi,
Is this what you are looking for.

Buddha13

That's a B-24 isn't it ?

[Wittpilot]

Sure is Guzler