$260.00
Own & display a piece from one of the most historically significant B-17 Flying Fortresses of World War 2. This B-17E survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, was used by General Douglas MacArthur during his escape from the Philippines in March 1942, and was finally lost in combat during a mission after which its pilot, Captain Harl Pease, was awarded the Medal of Honor. Relics from the wreckage of this famous airplane were recovered from its resting place by Brian J. Bennett in 1986.
B-17E serial number 41-2429 was built in Seattle and delivered to the USAAF on November 29th, 1941.
On December 7th, '2429' arrived over Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack and diverted from Hickam to a reserve airfield, where she was strafed by Zero Fighters but undamaged. The following day, '2429' was hastily painted in the now-famous Hawaiian Air Depot camouflage and used to search for the retiring Japanese task force.
After being deployed to the South Pacific, on March 14th, 1942, '2429' flew to Mindanao to evacuate General Douglas MacArthur to Australia.
On August 7th, 1942, '2429' (then nicknamed 'Why Don't We Do This More Often?'), with Captain Harl Pease as pilot, left Port Moresby, PNG on a mission to bomb a Japanese airbase near Rabaul in New Britain. Pease was jumped by numerous Zero Fighters and was ultimately shot down in the jungles near Makurapu. Pease was awarded the Medal of Honor for the action, and all crew members of '2429' were awarded the DFC.
(ABOVE) Brian J. Bennett's original aluminum tag attached to this recovered aluminum skin from B-17E '2429'. More about Brian J. Bennett's work in the South Pacific: Pacific Wrecks - Brian J. Bennett - PNG Resident, Wreck Researcher, CILHI/JPAC Consultant
These pieces of aluminum skin from '2429' measure roughly 2.5x1-inches and retain much of their original undersurface 'USAAF' factory-applied gray camouflage paint.
Each wall-hanging display is 13x19-inches (including the black frame). Signed and numbered by the artist. Ready to hang.
Limited to 50 displays.
Sold Out
Boeing B-17F ‘Memphis Belle’ Limited Edition Relic Display This aircraft needs no introduction; probably one of the most famous aircraft of World War II, and certainly the best-known of the...
$500.00
We, at Cole's Aircraft, have been blessed to acquire one of the world's largest and most diverse collections of authenticated LZ 129 Hindenburg airship relics, including the largest duraluminum girder...
