"Texas Raiders"
Markings
The Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress "TEXAS
RAIDERS" is owned and is supported by The Commemorative Air Force (CAF),
a non-profit organization, whose headquarters are in Midland, Texas.
This famous World War II aircraft is crewed and maintained by the Gulf
Coast Wing, CAF, based in Houston, Texas.
Many people are curious about the markings on the
aircraft and what they mean. The U.S. Army Air Corps determined all
markings during WW II. The U.S. Army Air Corp was changed in 1947 to
the U.S. Air Force which continues today. The U.S. Army Air Corps
designation's during World War II were as follows:
"Texas Raiders" is painted in the combat
colors of the
U.S. 8th Air Force,
1st Air Division,
381st Bombardment Group (Heavy).
533rd Bomb Squadron
The 381st Bombardment Group (Heavy) was comprised of the
532nd, 533rd, 534th and 535th Squadrons. This ship was built in 1944 and
actually saw service with the U.S. Navy as a PB1W Patrol Bomber; it is
one of 12,731 B-17s built from 1935-1945.
For more information on the the 381st
Bombardment Group (Heavy), check out their web site. |
