Information about this photograph:

  1. Aircraft No: 42-102597
  2. Tail Letter: V
  3. Fuselage ID: K8-V
  4. Group/Squadron: 398th, 602nd
  5. Official Name of Aircraft: Stinker
  6. Date of Photograph: Unknown
  7. Photo Location: Over Target
  8. Crew at time of Photograph: Unknown
  9. Final Disposition of A/C: Unknown
  10. Interpretive Comments: The above photograph is a 398th BG B-17 formation. The large aircraft in the middle of the photo with its bomb bays open has fuselage lettering is K8-V, which indicates the 602nd Squadron. The A/C No. is 2102597

    Six three-aircraft elements can be seen. One to the left, a 2nd to the lower left, a third to the lower right, a 4th in the upper right, a single plane emerging from the darkened area, perhaps the lead of another element, and the 6th, the large aircraft above, which is probably the element lead with the photograph being taken from his left wingman. A single aircraft below, 2597-V, appears out of formation. Close examination of the left wingman of the formation to the far left suggests the fuselage lettering is N8-N, or the 600th Squadron.

Source Information:

  1. Photo Source: The Vic Jenkin's Photo Collection and now part of the 398ths Photo Preservation Project in England.
  2. Photo Reference: HALS CD I: ACC 3910 1 of 5/Aircraft/Aircraft7
  3. Photographer: Unknown
  4. Information compiled by the 398th Web team.
  5. If you would like to add information about this photograph, please contact our Aircraft Photo Coordinator. Please include the title.