updated Sept 7, 2011

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Good Pickin & Her Crews

     
 
The 8th US Army Air Force served in the European theatre during WWII. In the three years of combat service from 1942 to 1945 more than 26,000 air crew lost their lives. The aircraft most closely associated with the 8th was the Boeing B17 heavy bomber. Of the more than 24,000 B17's built during WWII a number served as trainers. One such aircraft was Good Pickin, a B17F, seriel number 42-6153, based in Dalhart Texas. These pages are dedicated to Good Pickin and the crews that trained on her.
 
     
 
 
 
The Wassell Crew
 

Back Row, left to right: Ben C. Wassel, Albert C. Joyce, Anthony C. Formato, Leonard Hersch
Front Row, left to right: Robert D. Stetler, Eugene J. Harpster, James T. Finch, Pete N. Rayhawk, Leon J. Sarnowski, Victor B. Ratlif
Crew assigned to 390th Bombardment Group, 568 Squadron
Flew B17G sn 42-97242.
Entire crew lost April 18, 1944
Read their story here...

     
     
 
 
 
The Stuckey Crew
 
 

Back row, left to right: George T. Kruse (KIA)
Back row, position unidentified: Lee R. Frakes (Evader), Henry C. Kennemur (POW), Arthur B. Jones (Evader), Odis R. Pickering (Evader), Carl W. Mielke (Evader)
Front row, left to right: Philip D. Stuckey (KIA)
Front row, position unidentified: Francis W. Green (KIA), Elwin F. Butler, (KIA), Howard W. Madsen (KIA)
Crew assigned to 305th Bombardment Group, 364th Squadron
B17G sn 42-40020 shot down by enemy fighter on February 8, 1944
Sgt. Pickering was assisted by the Chauncy Escape Line

 
 

 

  







The Canelake Crew

Front row, left to right: Leo Canelake, Lt. Roedel, Jesse S. Boston, Max N. Cisek
Back row, left to right: Tony T. Hernandez, Clifford Fleury, Richard W. Brown, Francis Belgrasch, Thomas Philips. John V.Avrett
Roedel was replaced by F/O Harry Johnson before leaving the States.
Fleury was replaced by S/Sgt Paul E. McDonald (Hofkin crew) as the TTG for the 12/20/43 mission.
Crew assigned to the 381st Bombardment Group, 534 Squadron
Flew B17 42-5845 White Tail II. Crew, except Fleury and Rodel, killed in action December 20, 1943

 







James Hearndon Crew










David Pfeister Crew










Earl T. Frye Crew










Bill Goddard Crew

Front Row, left to right: Bill Goddard, Ralph Cambell, George Cross, Heber Smith
Back row, left to right: ? Kroviak, Richard Canter, Richard Moore, Joseph Collins, John Ochoa












Fernand Savasuk Crew

The photo below, taken in August of 1944 shows Sgt. Savasuk and his crew with Zootie Cutie (91 Bomb Group, 401 Squadron) in the background.



     
     
     




If you have any information about any of the crew members or you have a photo of Good Picking you are willing to share you can contact me at

info@poorhousephotos.com