384th During WWII / Aircraft / B-17G Aircraft / B-17G 42-107121 BK-J, "KENTUCKY COLONEL"/"HELENA II" | 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

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Home / 384th During WWII / Aircraft / B-17G Aircraft / B-17G 42-107121 BK-J, "KENTUCKY COLONEL"/"HELENA II" 11

546th BS code BK*J, salvaged December 6, 1944.

Photos of show that this aircraft bore the name of KENTUCKY COLONEL through mid-1944, at least; when it had its final crash in December the name on the nose - the right side, at least - was HELENA II.

"HELENA II" Crash, 5 Dec 1944

15 photos

Crash occurred on landing during a training flight. Accident report states "The right hand inboard drag strut support bolt sheared causing the drag link to fail damaging the aircraft badly." The aircraft was removed from inventory between 6 December 1944 and 6 January 1945.