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Nose art painted by Jack Gaffney
91st Bomb
Group
Bassingbourn, England
BAD EGG
B-17F-10-BO 41-24484
401st Bomb Squadron
One of the 91BG's original complement, assigned with just 69 hours logged,
it had been ear-marked for the RAF and carried the early British camouflage scheme
of dark green patches over olive drab. It flew un-named until returning from Lorient
on 30th December 1942 with serious battle damage. Crew chief M/Sgt Pierce asked Jack
Gaffney to paint the Donald Duck nose art on the port side.
"Bad Egg" flew as lead ship on numerous occasions and its mission tally
was embellished with a series of red and blue stars to denote this role. During its
year of combat, the plane completed 43 missions, had 15 engine changes
and had suffered hits in all main fuel tanks as well as having had its back almost
broken by 20mm cannon shells.
On 31st December 1943, returning from Cognac airfield, the plane was diverted to Andrew's
Field where, on touching down in poor weather, it ploughed into a jeep and
killed its driver. Although declared Category E and salvaged, the rear section of
the plane was used to repair another damaged Fort from 390BG.
© Ray Bowden
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