Us Official Photographs
B-17 afire at test
1943-08-29
Aug. 29, 1943 B-17 afire, caused while testing new carburetor on #4 engine. Mechanics & fire crews fought fire for 1 hour, but were unable to get it under control. A 3,000 lb. bomb load still on plane (due to fact that it had just been called back after taking off on operational flight, cancelled due to bad weather) exploded and blew plane apart. No# personnel injured, and no other planes damaged--personnel risked their lives to start & taxi away other Boeing B-17's in vicinity. Plane from 364th Bombardment Group.
