The B-17

New to the group. Been a fan of the B-17 since hearing stories from my grandfather. This is the only photo I have of him with his crew. Capt Richard Kozlowski (top right). Not sure where or what year, but I know from his logbook that he didn’t get mission qualified in the B-17 until 1944, so after the heavy losses of 1943.
I had the honor of flying in the Sentimental Journey B-17 during its recent tour through Atlanta. Flew on it with a photo of his crew and his training logbook (which I keep in my own Grumman Tiger that I fly).
This is my grand father who trained as a navigator on B-17s is his serial number legible enough to find his service records
This is my grand father who trained as a navigator on B-17s is his serial number legible enough to find his service records
Here’s Texas Raiders photographed at the Sun N’ Fun airshow 2019, (RIP)
“Aluminum Overcast” Oshkosh, WI from 2010
My grandfather is second from the left in the back row. He flew 33 missions over Germany in a B-17.

From my dad’s album. BTG 350th sq 100th bomb group

First Lieutenant Paul Chryst, the bombardier aboard USAAF B-17G-50-BO Flying Fortress, s/n, 42-102504, “Time’s A-Waistin'”, of the 401st Bombardment Squadron of the 91st Bombardment Group (H) out of Bassingbourn, England, looks out of the window at his battle station during a daylight raid on the Leuna-Merseburg synthetic oil refinery over Merseburg, Germany on November 2, 1944. During World War II, Merseburg was referred to by American bomber crews of the 8th Air Force as “Mercilessburg” because of how heavily-defended it was with anti-aircraft guns and fighters. The photograph was taken by the B-17’s navigator, 1st Lieutenant John W. Allen. Both men flew 35 missions with the 91st Bombardment Group with First Lieutenant Chryst returning home in mid-December 1944 and First Lieutenant Allen returned home in early January 1945, finishing the war as a Captain. Captain Allen returned to civilian life after the end of the war and passed away in 2011. First Lieutenant Chryst returned home after the war, remaining in the service with the United States Air Force, from which he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Lieutenant Colonel Chryst passed away in 2014.