Information about this photograph:

  1. Aircraft No: 42-97249
  2. Tail Letter:P
  3. Fuselage ID: N8-P
  4. Group/Squadron: 398th, 600th
  5. Official Name of Aircraft: How was it? Well?
    The story of this unusual name is that the crew chief would ask the question: "How was it? Well?" after each mission. It is thought he was asking about the aircraft he so well maintained.
  6. Date of Photograph: 1944/45, but the various 3 aircraft elements suggest the photo was more likely 1944 than 1945.
  7. Photo Location: Unknown 398th Mission in 1944/45
  8. Crew at time of Photograph: Unknown
  9. Final Disposition of A/C: Originally assigned to the 398th Bomb Group 26 April 1944. It was used in 112 combat missions, the most of any 398th aircraft. It was re-assigned to the 92nd BG on 7 May 1945 and then re-assigned to the 398th on 12 May 1945. And then to Valley for return to ZOI 1 June 1945.
  10. Interpretive Comments: How was it? Well? in the photo above appears to be the lead aircraft in a 3 aircraft element with the deputy just above its tail and the left element aircraft showing only its rear right stabalizer. The photo may have been taken from that aircraft. Another 3 aircraft element with just the lead and deputy shown are in the upper left of the photo. The aircraft in the upper right may be the lead of another 3 aircraft element.

Source Information:

  1. Photo Source: Jeff Vicha purchased this photo from Peter Ewbank who specializes in WWII aviation photos.
  2. Photo Reference: Vicha: 42-97249 N8-P
  3. Photographer: Unknown
  4. Information compiled by the 398th Web team with special thanks to Jeff Vicha.
  5. If you would like to add information about this photograph, please contact our Aircraft Photo Coordinator. Please include the title.