Displays
Gene Roddenberry, Co-Pilot, B-17 41-2644 LOS LOBOS of the 394th BS
Gene Roddenberry flew over 80 missions, most of which would have been as Bill Ripley's co-pilot on LOS LOBOS. We have had this section of nose art from LOS LOBOS for more than 20 years. During this time we had not been able to positively identify the B-17 that this nose art section was from. That changed recently when author and historian Steve Birdsall contacted with this information
This B-17 41-2644 started with the 19th Bomb Group where it flew at least 16 missions between June and October 1942. Several of these missions were as a flare ship on night missions against Rabaul. It was later transferred from the 19th Bomb Group to the 5th Bomb Group, 394th Bomb Squadron in November 1942. After being reassigned to the 5th Bomb Group it operated from Fiji, Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal. During this time the name LOS LOBOS and the nose art were added to the plane by Sgt. Charles Petrakos. 
Gene Roddenberry, claimed to have flown 370 combat hours and over 80 missions, most of which would have been as Bill Ripley's co-pilot on LOS LOBOS. Roddenberry got his own crew in June 1943.
When the plane was retired from combat, LOS LOBOS was used as a personal transport by 13th Air Depot commander General George McCoy. We believe that is when The Rover Boys name was added to the plane under LOS LOBOS.
The Nose Art section from LOS LOBOS
B-17 41-2644 LOS LOBOS
Illustration courtesy of artist Jack Fellows
Gene 2nd from the left with B-17 41-2644
13th Air Depot commander General George McCoy
