Vickers Wellington HF570
0.2 miles away
Northamptonshire
Desborough Fortress Memorial
Desborough, Northamptonshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Desborough Town Council.
Type
Memorial stone
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Desborough, Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire
what3words: ///coil.sprayer.stumps
What Happened
90 Squadron | RAF Unit | B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress – The Queen Of The Skies B-17 Flying Fortresses, which were in service of Royal Air Force No.
Community Connection
Every memorial has a story — why it was built, who campaigned for it, and what it means to the local community. If you know the story behind this memorial, we would love to hear it.
Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.
Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
CelerAircraft Type
B-17 Fortress
Serial Number
AN534
Squadron
90 SquadronStation
Polebrook
Date of Loss
1941-07-28
Crew (1 member)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Desborough Town Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Desborough & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Desborough Town Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
Memorial record for the crew of Boeing Fortress Mk.I AN534 WP-E of 90 Squadron. The aircraft suffered catastrophic structural failure during a high-altitude test flight on 28 July 1941, with the starboard wing breaking off in severe turbulence.
What you'll find: Explore detailed memorial records for Boeing Fortress Mk.I AN534 crew from 90 Squadron.
Fortress Mk.I (ex-USAAC B-17C, s/n 40-2053)Starboard wing structural failure in severe turbulenceDeparted Polebrook at 17:00 for high altitude testCrashed 4 miles west of Corby near Stoke Albany
RAF Commands ArchiveRetrieved 2026-03-23
RAF Commands forum discussion with historical details of Flying Fortress AN534 from 90 Squadron. Documents the aircraft's history as one of the early RAF-operated B-17s based at Polebrook.
What you'll find: Explore detailed history of Desborough Fortress Memorial on RAF Commands Archive forum.
One of earliest RAF B-17 operations90 Squadron at Polebrook
B-17 Bomber Flying FortressRetrieved 2026-03-23
Reference entry on 90 Squadron's operation of Boeing Fortress aircraft. Documents the squadron's use of early B-17C models received under Lend-Lease, including AN534.
What you'll find: Explore Desborough Fortress Memorial and learn about 90 Squadron's operations with B-17C Flying Fortresses from WWII.
90 Squadron Fortress operations documentedEarly Lend-Lease B-17C aircraft
Nearby Memorials
Sources
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
RAF Commands Archive (retrieved 2026-03-23)
B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21
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