JoMo - Identified

The puzzle: A B-17F of the 532nd BS. The aircraft had a cheek gun modification between two square windows and a single gun out the Plexiglas nose, olive drab, "P22" stenciled on nose below forward square window. Hutchens crew pictured in front of aircraft.

Solved: David Hutchens identified JoMo and writes:

This aircraft was assigned to Hutchens crew as a replacement for 'This Is It' which was severely damaged on Schweinfurt Oct.14,43 mission.Hutchens named his new aircraft JOMO which was the nickname of his girl back home who later became his wife.. Ref.formation sheet on page 303 of Chaplain Brown's book last four numbers in aircraft serial number were 3411. The photo [crew photo bottom] was taken by Group Photo Section when we completed our 25th mission on 4 Feb. 1944."

The aircraft is now identified as B-17F #42-3411 (VE-I) "JoMo", built by Douglas.

The aircraft was first delivered to Dallas, TX, on 6/1/43; to Homestead, FL, on 7/11/43; and assigned to the 381st BG, 535th BS as VE-I on 9/21/43. The aircraft was transferred to AFSC on 5/19/44; to Tinker, OK, 7/12/44; and was RFC at Bush Field on 5/10/45.

Hutchens crew with 532nd "winged horse" patch on jackets.

Photos from the 381st CD-ROM (edited for display).