Heroic Tale of a Tail Gunner

[Bob Womack]

Jablonski tells of Johnson going through a forced landing on an Australian sheep farm in B17D Alexander, the Swoose due to bad navigation and running out of fuel and provides a photo. Originally called "Ole Betsy," The Swoose got her name from her pilot who named her after the character in a popular song (half swan, half goose) because, after combat, she was repeatedly cobbled back together with parts from other wrecked B-17D models, including an entire tail module. She eventually became General Brett's private transport aircraft. After the war she was saved from the crusher by the efforts of Air Force Col. Frank Kurtz. In turn, she provided the name for Kurtz's daughter, famous actress, Swoozy Kurtz. The Swoose is currently at the Dayton AF museum being restored, but there is a huge kerfuffle about whether to restore her as "Ole Betsy" (which had no distinctive art) or The Swoose. Typical bureaucracy - do nothing.

Alexander, The Swoose


Check the subtitle:
http://forum.armyairforces.com/downl...?file=1;208043

Bob

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