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A few new B-17 pictures


renfield
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It looks like the life raft compartment has been blown open, damage to the tail and a bad gash to the body of the plane behind the waist gunner position. It looks like the damage that was inflicted to the ALL AMERICAN but she was not in the 100th. I wish I knew the story of this B-17.

Steve

 

 

A well known photo taken August 17, 1943 as the 100th crosses the Alps headed for North Africa after bombing Regensburg. Lt. Robert Wulff's "Wolf Pack" with 20mm damaged to the tail and damage also from the raft that blew out of the raft compartment that is open.

 

I saw that picture first in Roger Freeman's "Mighty Eighth War Diary"

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A nice picture of Piccadilly Lily of the 100th BG.

 

 

Bernie Lay, who co-wrote "12 O'Clock High" was flying co-pilot in that bird on the Schweinfurt-Regensburg raid. It's from that seat that he saw what he described so graphically in the book on that raid.

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The square D of the 100th BG can be seen on the wing of the B-17in this picture. What is interesting to me is the background. Where in the world was this picture taken? I think this must have been during a shuttle mission. Not your average B-17 in England picture.

Steve

 

North Africa no doubt, after the Regensburg mission.

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As always thank you for sharing your knowledge about the planes and pictures. It adds so much to the picture to know the history behind it.

Steve

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What appears to be a tear in the fuselage of Wolf Pack, is most likely a scratch on the photo. It does not show up in the same photo seen elsewhere.

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The planes in post 128 were from the 99th BG amd they are flying over the Med. Sea. The plane closest to the camera is Persuader, tail no, 229489. A copy of this photo is posted on Fold3.

 

KO in post 146 spent time in the 2nd, 99th and 301st BGs. It was tail no. 124366.

 

Tennessee Tess in post 152 is plane 48357 from the 91st BG.

 

I have compiled a database of B-17 names and art, starting with Forman's book and adding and correcting names from other sources. I also have a couple hundred unit history books on WWII Bomb Groups and Squadrons. If there are still other unidentified planes on this thread let me know the post numbers and I can probably track down their identities.

 

Also, someone got a pair of photo albums from a member of the 99th BG off ebay about six years ago. If a member of this forum happened to pick them up I would love to hear from them.

 

Marty

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I did some poking around the 100th BG website, and found the picture I posted of EXCALIBURS REVENGE. So it was in the Bloody Hundredth.

Steve

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  • 3 weeks later...

Here is a photo of "my" Blonde Bomber after its arrival in England and assigned to the 91st Bomb Squad. The crews formed in Pocatello, Idaho were they received their basic training and then moved on to Casper, Wyoming for advanced training. After a short leave they were to report to Salina, Kansas where they picked up their plane and began the journey to England. Engine trouble caused a stop in Detroit for repair and then on to Maine.

 

It was once in Maine that the crew chose to name the plane the Blonde Bomber after Dad, being blonde and a bombardier, who, having worked for Disney as an animator and for MGM in the art department designed and painted the nose art on the plane. I know there are different versions that Tony Starcer painted the nose art, but this story has been verified by living crew members.

 

If anyone can help find any other surviving crew members, I would be so grateful to speak to the men who served with my father.

 

 

Ginny

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Those are some great pictures. Knowing the history and story really makes them special. You should be proud of your fathers service, and these pictures are priceless and I hope passed down in your family. Also welcome to the forum.

Steve

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  • 2 months later...

This is a B-17E that flew in the PTO, it had a long history and had more than one name. This picture was taken when she was PRETTY BABY. Great looking nose art.

Steve

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I started a thread asking if there was a book just about the nose art of Tony Starcer. I was able to get some unofficial pictures of some of his lesser known nose art. I am going to go ahead and post them there instead of the other thread. If anyone has other Starcer art pictures please post them here ,if you want to share them. Notice that the Norden bombsite has been scratched out. This one is REDWING.

Steve

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He was the king of the pin up girls! This one is BOSTON BOMBSHELL. The back of all these pictures are the same. To me this proves they are period photos.

Steve

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Here is RAMBLIN REBEL in this picture his signature can be seen. He did so much more than the MEMPHIS BELLE and 909. If there is any interest I will post more of his art.

Steve

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Ok a few more B-17s with nose art by Tony Starcer This one is EASY DOES IT. Once again the bomb site has been scratched out.

Steve

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I have seen this plane in many books about the 8th AAF. The nose are is well known, but I thought I would post it. HI HO SILVER. Tony could do cartoons as well as his famous pin ups.

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ANXIOUS ANGEL by Tony Starcer. I should add that these planes were part of the 91st Bomb Group (H) and flew out of Bassingbourn England. There is a great book named THE RAGGED IRREGULARS OF BASSINGBOURN that features many of these planes. It is well worth buying if you have even a slight interest in this subject.

Steve

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WINNIE FRANK JOE another Tony Starcer plane. Not your usual nose art but it is well done. Some of the planes I posted earlier in this thread were done by Mr. Starcer. TENNESSEE TESS and PEG O MY HEART were his work.

Steve

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I think this is another Starcer, but have not seen it on the net or in a book. It sure looks like his other work but this picture came from another source. I hope someone can verify it is his work.

Steve

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If you look close you can see that there was an S in front of HOT. So at one time it was SURE SHOT. Another one that I am not sure was done by Starcer.

 

Steve

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