384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

Welcome to the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Photo Gallery. This gallery makes available the photographic and documentary portion of the 384th BG record. All content on this gallery is visible to all visitors. Those wishing to enter a comment or contribute images will need to register and log in (links at left of Home page). Please register for an account when you need access beyond viewing gallery content. For additional information about the 384th BG, visit the 384th Bomb Group website⇗.

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42-37822 THE "LEAD BANANA"

4337822LEADBANANA.jpg 44-6141 SNEAKIN DEACONThumbnails42-37762 CHAPLAIN'S OFFICE44-6141 SNEAKIN DEACONThumbnails42-37762 CHAPLAIN'S OFFICE44-6141 SNEAKIN DEACONThumbnails42-37762 CHAPLAIN'S OFFICE44-6141 SNEAKIN DEACONThumbnails42-37762 CHAPLAIN'S OFFICE44-6141 SNEAKIN DEACONThumbnails42-37762 CHAPLAIN'S OFFICE44-6141 SNEAKIN DEACONThumbnails42-37762 CHAPLAIN'S OFFICE44-6141 SNEAKIN DEACONThumbnails42-37762 CHAPLAIN'S OFFICE

Source: The Quentin Bland Collection.

Result of Marc Poole's research into this photo: This photo has been misidentified as 43-37822. 43-37822 was a Block 70 Boeing-built B-17G with a Natural Metal Finish, and not painted. Boeing quit painting their B-17's after Block 30. This photo is of an early G model, and a very well-worn one at that. I checked the listing for 42-37822, a Block 15 Douglas built ship, and sure enough, there is a photo posted of that ship in flight, with nose art very similar to this close-up photo posted as 43-37822. Someone may have mistaken 42-37822 for 43-37822. I have yet to see a listing in any references for 42-37822 as Lead Banana, but I think that this is most likely the correct ship. There is a large gap of time in the listing for the ship in Osborne's FortLog...no info between October 43 and its assignment to the 384th in May 44...odd. In comparing pics of Lead Banana currently posted for 43-37822, and one posted of 42-37822, I think it is the same earlier ship. Note the similarity of the black scoreboard under the Co-Pilot window and along the nose, and the same banana shape in the same spot, (but a different shade). Not 100%, but certainly plausible.

Relabeling and moving this photo to the album for 42-37822. CB.

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4337822LEADBANANA.jpg
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