File:B-17E 41-2459-9th bomb squadron.jpg

English: Boeing B-17E Fortress 41-2459, photographed at RAF Shallufa, Egypt in December 1941 on its way via Florida, Caribbean, Brazil, across the South Atlantic and Central Africa to join the 9th Bombardment Squadron, 7th Bombardment Group during the Battle of the Phillipines. When camouflage was adapted for bombers in February 1941, a star was added to each side of the fuselage and the rudder stripes and star on the low, loft and upper right wing were deleted. On 10 May 1942 the red centre of the star-in-circle insignia was also deleted because of its similarity With the Japanese 'hloomiau' or 'rising sun' marking. which Americans called the 'meatball'. Within two days of the B-17's arrival in the Dutch East Indies, on 15 January 1942, it was dispatched on a combat mission. This aircraft crash-landed during the mission at Kendari, Borneo and was strafed by Japanese Zero fighters. The crew escaped and were later evacuated to Java. The aircraft was subsquently blown up by the US forces on 16 January during the retreat. (USAAF Photo)