'Big Red' was a B-17F-90 model, serial number 42-30207.

It was manufactured by Boeing Aircraft in Seattle WA, USAAF  order number ac-20292 and cost $316,426.00

 

Received by the USAAF on 23rd April 1943.
'Big Red' then went to the Cheyenne Modification Centre, WY on 29th April 1943, project number 92111. This project upgraded 'Big Red' to B-17F-90 status. B-17 serial numbers 42-30132 to 42-30231 became B-17F-90 standard, this entailed all other previous upgrades that B-17's had, plus newly improved Automatic Flight Control equipment and elevator fabric attachment added.


After Cheyenne, it went to Sioux City, IA on 11th May 1943, then flown to Smoky Hill, KS on 9th June 1943. From there to Dow Field AAF, ME on 12th June 1944.

It departed the US from Dow Field AAF on 14th June 1943 via
Salinas AAF, KS to picked up by Lt. Richard Bailey crew.  

Assigned to:

  8th Airforce   

   388th Bombardment Group                        

  561 Bomb Squadron

 

Then onward to England via, Maine, Labrador, Iceland and Prestwick, Scotland. 'Big Red' finally arrived in Knettishall in England June 1943.
'Big Red' flown by Bailey crew to Manchester to have 'Tokio' tanks fitted.

 

'Big Red' was nicknamed by Pilot Richard Bailey, after his then fiancé, and future wife, Ms Bette Rathburn, a tall red headed lady.


B-17 #42-30207 'Big Red' completed a total of 35 missions, and was on it's 36 mission when it crashed on 27th March 1944 in France.