The Pathfinder Mystery

The Mighty Eighth Podcast

In this episode, we visit the crash site of a top-secret B-17 Flying Fortress which went down soon after take-off in November 1943.

The B-17F Flying Fortress 42-5793 was among the most secret aircraft of its kind – one of the first American bombers fitted with a new type of radar.

The plane crashed only minutes into what should have been a flight from Thorpe Abbots, in Norfolk; to Alconbury, near Huntingdon, in the East of England.

All 13 crew were killed.

So too were four people on the ground and their horse.

Relatives spent decades trying to find out why the plane crashed – a mystery which remained unsolved for years.

We speak to family of the crew – and visit a newly unveiled memorial to the plane and those killed.

This episode is co-hosted by Johann Tasker with military historian Mike Peters and podcast guest Steve Andrews.

To contact Johann and Mike, email [email protected].

Featuring interviews with John Price Jr. (grandnephew of of pilot Arthur Reynolds); and Vickie Tregner (niece of radar mechanic Herman Kolousek).

With very special thanks to Clive D. Stevens.

Thanks also to Tarkey Barker; Maggie Aggiss; Ian McLachlan; 100th Bomb Group Museum, Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk; the Oaksmere Hotel, Rectory Road, Eye, Suffolk.

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