“Ipana Smile”

Squadron: 751st

Tail: L

Manufacturer: Boeing

Type: G-40

INDIVIDUAL AIRCRAFT RECORD CARD

Crew chief: John Fischer (110 missions)

Received at Glatton: from Presque Isle Army Air Field, US on March 8th 1944

Number of Missions: 110

B-17 story: Delivered to Cheyenne, US on January 29th 1944; transferred to Kearney Army Air Field, US on February 6th 1944; transferred to Presque Isle Army Air Field, US on February 25th 1944; assigned to the 457BG/751BS at Glatton, UK on March 8th 1944; returned to Bradley Army Air Field, US on June 9th 1944; transferred to 4168 Base Unit (BU) South Plains Army Air Field, US on June 14th 1945; Reclamation Finance Centre (RFC) Kingman Army Air Field, US on December 14th 1945 (sold for scrap)

Information:

This information comes from the son off the Ipana Smile Crew Chief, John Fischer: The Old 123 was sent on 110 missions and never had to return to base due to mechanical failure, a feat which earned my father (M/Sgt. John Fischer) the bronze star. I remember him telling me about painting the teeth around the chin turret but when the chin turret had to be replaced time did not allow him to replace the teeth on the turret itself. Also he told us about having to remove his nose art artwork that said Ipana Smile due to the toothpaste company’s rights so the planes name became Old 123.

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