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B-17 FLYING FORTRESS/41-2595

Serial #: 41-2595
Construction #: 2406
Civil Registration:
  None

Model(s):
  B-17E Flying Fortress
  XC-108A
Name: Desert Rat
Status: Restoration
Last info: 2025

History:
Delivered to the United States Army Air Force as 44-53742.
- BOC: February 14, 1942
- SOC: N/A
- Assigned to 97th Bomb Group as crew trainer.
-- Flew as Desert Rat
- Transfered to 383rd Bomb Group, Ainworth Field, NE, February 1943.
- Transferred to Wright field, OH, March 1943 for use as staff transport.
- Converted to XC-108A by Fairchild Air Service Command, Patterson Field, OH, March 1944.
-- Fitted with large cargo door on port side.
-- Glass nose replaced with solid nose that hinged open to the left.
-- Bomb bay was floored over.
- Assigned to Air Transport Command, Chabua, India
- Returned to U.S.A. in October 1944.
- Assigned to 1379th Base Unit, Dow Field, ME.
- Transferred to 147th Base Unit.
Sold as scrap, Dow Field, Bangor, ME, Circa December 1945.
Acquired by local dealer, cut in sections, stored on local farm, La Grange, ME, 1945-1985
Steve Alex, Bangor, ME, 1985.
Michael W. Kellner, Crystal Lake, IL, 1985-2025.
- Purchased remains for reported $7,250.
- Long-term restoration to bomber configuration, Galt Airport, IL, 1985-1992.
- Restoration continued on farm, Marengo, IL, 1997-2015.
- Names Desert Rat snd Tangerine found under nose paint.
- Planned to be flown as Desert Rat.
- b-17edesertrat.com

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