100th BG B-17, but where

The guys at the 100th BG are stuck with trying to put a location on this photo, can any of the AiXer's help?

Photo from the collection of Rick McCutchan

Things to note;

Tail number looks like 37993, or 37983, or 37963
The hangar does not look like a UK type to me, it does have an annexe but it is similar to some WWI hangars but my money is on it being overseas
The structure in the background, near the hangar, is it a water tower?
There is also a long structure with several arches in the background
Steel matting on the ground which the aircraft is parked on
there looks to be a picket fence infront of the aircraft that is sectioning off the grass
Man at the rear of the aircraft appears to be in shorts
No ball turret on the B-17
Cable or hose from the rear of the truck leads to a man on the wing, is it fuel?



Any help appreciated

Rich ~ The engineer I worked with who was helping to rebuild a B17 told me that they were called Tokyo Tanks although the aircraft could never reach Japan.

The serial number could fall into the number of aircraft manufactured by Douglas ( 42-37721 to 42-38213 ) or Boeing Production ( 43-35709 to 35908. )

A quick search on line indicated that it would most likely be a B17G as the entire run were fitted with Tokyo Tanks.

I agree the taxi way matting with picket fence and its pristine condition are more interesting.

The following links may be helpful and I noticed that the wiki on Tokyo Tanks also lists the BO ( Block Order ) introduction numbers ?

warbirds.wikia.com/wiki/Boeing_B-17_serial_numbers

www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2454

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_tanks

Rich ~ could the photo be one of the B17's that had infra-red tracking devices fitted to the nose instead of the standard perspex cone ?

I understand that the ball turret had been removed when these aircraft were upgraded.

I've also been informed that it could have been taken at the old Lockheed Vega airfield in Burbank that was camouflaged by Hollywood set designers which is now known as Bob Hope.

Interesting photo, not sure where it is but it's a really good picture