SB-17H FORTRESS 44-83771 - OFF SHETLAND 3/1/1947.
The SB-17H Fortress was a derivative of the renowned B-17 Flying Fortress bomber used by the US 8th Army Air Force in WW2, though converted with life saving equipment rather than bombs.
This SB-17 was one of 130 B-17Gs that had been adapted to carry the 27ft long `Higgins` A-1 airborne lifeboat which had a hull constructed of Mahogany and Birch and was equipped with a mast and sails, radio ,first aid kit, water, food and flares and an engine capable of a speed of 5mph.
At 14.30hrs on 2rd January 1947 an SB-17 belonging to 1386th AAF Base Unit Air Sea Rescue took off from Keflavik airfield, Iceland on a local flight expected to last 2 to 3 hours, however approx. 1 hour after leaving the field a snow storm developed and the crew now on instruments and were given instructions by ATC to fly to Prestwick as the visibility at Keflavik was too bad, and so a flight plan was arranged and radioed to the pilot.
This SB-17 was one of 130 B-17Gs that had been adapted to carry the 27ft long `Higgins` A-1 airborne lifeboat which had a hull constructed of Mahogany and Birch and was equipped with a mast and sails, radio ,first aid kit, water, food and flares and an engine capable of a speed of 5mph.
At 14.30hrs on 2rd January 1947 an SB-17 belonging to 1386th AAF Base Unit Air Sea Rescue took off from Keflavik airfield, Iceland on a local flight expected to last 2 to 3 hours, however approx. 1 hour after leaving the field a snow storm developed and the crew now on instruments and were given instructions by ATC to fly to Prestwick as the visibility at Keflavik was too bad, and so a flight plan was arranged and radioed to the pilot.
Above: Pilot 1/Lt William E. Dee. Photo: Dave Earl Via Klaus Zimmer.
Expecting this to be just a local flight, the Navigator was without proper charts, they had no Wireless Op on board, and little fuel for any marginal error. Drift readings were taken and bearings using the astro-compass and radio compass were taken, though stronger than forecast headwinds slowed the aircraft down and it took much longer to reach their turning over Scotland, also heavy cloud hindered any visual contact, but eventually an island, that of Shetland was spotted and it was estimated that they should reach the Scottish mainland within 30 minutes, however, as they continued past their ETA, no land was sited and the Navigator suggested they do a 180 degree turn and head back to the Island, this they did and back over Shetland at approx. midnight, they flew a few miles off shore, jettisoned the lifeboat, circled a number of times firing off flares, then with an estimated guess of less than an hours fuel left, the pilot gave the order to abandon the aircraft, then putting it on a SW course on autopilot, he left the aircraft himself.
Above: An SB-17 of the ASR 5th Rescue Squadron like the one off Shetland in Jan 1947. Photo: USAF Archives.
Three of the crew landed on the Shetland mainland itself, one came down on a tiny island in Braewick Voe, and another landed in the sea and struggled to unhitch his chute, but fortunately the wind blew him towards the shore. After a long night with the Co-Pilot suffering a sprained knee, and the Pilot suffering exposure, all were eventually found and taken to hospital where they were given hot drinks and blankets, and treated for their injuries.
The Fortress went down in the sea somewhere to the West of the Shetland mainland at a location yet to be discovered. Maybe one day a fishing boat will pull up a peice of wreckage identifed as coming off a Flying Fortress and the last resting place of 44-83771 will be known.
Crew:
Pilot: 1/Lt W.E. Dee.
Co-Pilot: 1/Lt M.H.Craven. Jr.
Nav: 1/Lt W.L.Pilcher.
Eng: H.E.Shields.
Eng: R. M. Gessert.
Dundee Evening Telegraph - Friday 03 January 1947
FORTRESS PILOT SAFE—IN SEA
The missing member of a Fortress aircraft has been rescued from the sea. The plane failed to reach Prestwick after a flight from Iceland. Following a midnight SOS from Prestwick, the aircraft circled Lerwick airfield and dropped flares. Ground staffs were unable to contact it either visual or radio signals. Three members of the crew baled out near Lerwick in the Shetlands, and at 4 a.m. news was received that the second-pilot had also baled out safely. He stated that the Fortress was then set on a seaward course, and that the first pilot intended to leave the aircraft one minute after had jumped. To-day, the Air Ministry announced that all five of the crew baled out, two in the sea and three near Lerwick. The two were rescued from the sea and are safe. trace has been found of the aircraft. It is believed have crashed into the sea.
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FORTRESS PILOT SAFE—IN SEA
The missing member of a Fortress aircraft has been rescued from the sea. The plane failed to reach Prestwick after a flight from Iceland. Following a midnight SOS from Prestwick, the aircraft circled Lerwick airfield and dropped flares. Ground staffs were unable to contact it either visual or radio signals. Three members of the crew baled out near Lerwick in the Shetlands, and at 4 a.m. news was received that the second-pilot had also baled out safely. He stated that the Fortress was then set on a seaward course, and that the first pilot intended to leave the aircraft one minute after had jumped. To-day, the Air Ministry announced that all five of the crew baled out, two in the sea and three near Lerwick. The two were rescued from the sea and are safe. trace has been found of the aircraft. It is believed have crashed into the sea.
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Gloucester Citizen - Friday 03 January 1947
FORTRESS CREW BAILED OUT: ALL SAVED
When a U.S. Flying Fortress got into difficulties over the Shetland Islands, the crew of five baled out and are now in hospital Lerwick. They are stated to be quite well and uninjured except for a few scratches. Lerwick's district coastguard, Mr. A Shaw, said that a terrific 'hurricane' was blowing the time. The first three to bale out were found by a crofter near Tingwall, Shetland, about 3 miles from Lerwick. Police took them to hospital in car. A search party of police and coastguards were sent out for the pilot. Lt. Dee. who was found the vicinity of Dale Voe, a small lock. A searchlight picked him out in the hills. Two of the crew were rescued from the sea. When the coastguard on watch sighted the plane circling Lerwick he put out the lifeboat on the ''stand by'' . ''Shortly after the plane fired red flares which fell right across my house, the coastguard station," said. The pilot waded for two hours being found by Lerwick Police.
FORTRESS CREW BAILED OUT: ALL SAVED
When a U.S. Flying Fortress got into difficulties over the Shetland Islands, the crew of five baled out and are now in hospital Lerwick. They are stated to be quite well and uninjured except for a few scratches. Lerwick's district coastguard, Mr. A Shaw, said that a terrific 'hurricane' was blowing the time. The first three to bale out were found by a crofter near Tingwall, Shetland, about 3 miles from Lerwick. Police took them to hospital in car. A search party of police and coastguards were sent out for the pilot. Lt. Dee. who was found the vicinity of Dale Voe, a small lock. A searchlight picked him out in the hills. Two of the crew were rescued from the sea. When the coastguard on watch sighted the plane circling Lerwick he put out the lifeboat on the ''stand by'' . ''Shortly after the plane fired red flares which fell right across my house, the coastguard station," said. The pilot waded for two hours being found by Lerwick Police.