384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

Welcome to the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Photo Gallery. This gallery makes available the photographic and documentary portion of the 384th BG record. All content on this gallery is visible to all visitors. Those wishing to enter a comment or contribute images will need to register and log in (links at left of Home page). Please register for an account when you need access beyond viewing gallery content. For additional information about the 384th BG, visit the 384th Bomb Group website⇗.

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We visited the 390th Bomb Group museum that is located within the Pima Air Museum, and I shot this photo of the government stencil on their B-17G, named "I'LL BE AROUND". This aircraft was one of the last B-17s produced, and did not see wartime service. Here is what Freeman and Osborne say about the history of this aircraft:

"44-85828 Del Dallas 13/7/45; Sth Plains 31/8/45; Rome 2/46; NAF Johnsville 9/9/46 [77254]; converted into camera and survey ship for USCG; Elizabeth City 31/3/47 and operated these activities until 1959, the last mission from Alaska; USCG San Francisco 9/59; Elizabeth to retire, the last B-17 used by USAF with military crew on 14/10/59; Joe Marrs, Opa Locka, Fl 8/3/60 (Civil N9323R); Serv-Air, White Plains, NY 4/60; Tropical Export Tred/Co, Fort Lauderdale 23/5/62; Hugh Wheeless, Dothan, Al 17/7/62 (sprayer); Black Hills Avn. Spearfish, SD 4/10/62 (tanker B-30); Aero Flite, Cody, Wyo 3/1/64; Bruce Kinney, Richey, Mont 1975; Aircraft Spec. Mesa, Az 18/5/78; swapped for C-54 tanker and restored as 42-31892 of 390BG Framlingham, Sfk, UK, at Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, Az. I'LL BE AROUND."

Note that, while it is restored as a specific 390th aircraft (42-31892), the original serial number has been preserved on the stencil.

Author
Fred Preller
Dimensions
4032*3024
File
IMG_1089.JPG
Filesize
1988 KB
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1297

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