March 6, 1942 -- "The Swoose"

On March 6, 1942, the new and not-so-improved tail number 3-0-9-7, aka “The Swoose,” flew its first recorded flight. This is arguably the most recognized aircraft in our collective 19th history. It’s also the oldest surviving B-17, pre-dating the U.S.’s entry into the Second World War. Originally known as “Ole Betsy,” this B-17 was assigned to the 14th Bombardment Squadron, one of the 19th’s (BG) two squadrons that had escaped the Japanese surprise attack on Clark Field on December 7, 1941. 3-0-9-7 participated in several bombing missions following that raid. But it was damaged following an air battle in January and had suffered overall deterioration due to extensive time in the air with little recovery after flying missions. Repairs began in late-January 1942 while the remnants of the 19th Bombardment Group were in Australia. At the time, maintenance crews rarely possessed any new spare parts. Therefore, all materials used to repair the aircraft were obtained from other battle-damaged and war-weary B-17s. It received a new tail structure, rudder, and elevators from one aircraft, and wings, wheels, and brakes from three others. Maintenance personnel also converted the aircraft into an armed transport. Because of its new configuration, the hybrid airplane was playfully rechristened “The Swoose,” the idea coming from a popular – yet insensitive – 1941 song “Alexander the Swoose.” The tune was about a goose who looked different, sung from the perspective of Alexander’s tormenters: “Here comes little Alexander, What a funny looking gander. He’s half swan and he’s half goose, ha ha ha, he’s just a swoose.” The aircraft avoided the scrap heap because it was assigned as a command plane, and was the only B-17 that served from the beginning of the war to the end.