In summary, I still say: You can't use Caidin's writing in
evidence, even anecdotal evidence, if you don't find a more
reliable source to back it up; or, more likely, to correct it.


I agree with that statement - Caidin did most of his writing in the hayday of
postwar aviation writing, before any archives had opened up to help sort the
facts from the "really neat stories". Have a read through his various B-17
books and see how many times he mentions UFOs! Funny how those stories aren't
mentioned in other books about the same events.

I *loved* Caidin's books - but I agree with Mr. Gustin in this regard, MC just
plain loved a good story, even if he couldn't provide backup information.
Saburo Sakai wouldn't autograph Caidin's first version of his biography, for
accuracy reasons.


And the serial. number on "TS" was 23211


As EM pointed out, that's not an accurate serial number for any B-17.

v/r
Gordon
====(A+C====
USN SAR

Its always better to lose AN engine, than THE engine.