KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Share #1 Posted September 7, 2015 I recently acquire this group from Ebay in multiple lots and saved it from being split up. This group represents the saga on one B-17 named Brennan's Circus . She flew with the 94th Bomb Group , 8th AAF. What that single B-17 endured during the Schweinfurt Raid, is the thing legends are made of. She is mentioned in a number of books about the raid on October 14, 1943 and on a number or websites.Here is a copy of a news release from the 8th AAF that does a great job of describing the mission and the part played by Brennan's Circus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted September 7, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted September 7, 2015 This group is from the Co-Pilot of the Plane. He survived the raid and completed his 25 missions earning a DFC and the Air Medal with 3 OLCs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted September 7, 2015 This website also does a great job of telling the story of the mission: http://www.digital3dstereo.com/brennanscircus.htm The co-pilot is in the back row, far right. Original newspaper article about the Co-Pilot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted September 7, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted September 7, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted September 7, 2015 The boxes are leather over wood, and the seller did not mention the fact they were numbered. I knew they had to be but I never asked them if they were, Why alert everyone else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted September 7, 2015 He completed his pilot training at the Mira Loma Flight Academy. The owner of the Academy was known for giving gifts to those who completed training, Here is a photo of him graduating along with some of the items: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted September 7, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #10 Posted September 7, 2015 The blue backed bullion wings are outstanding. The Ribbon bars are both sew on and pinback examples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted September 7, 2015 His original Flight Logbook from training through the end of the war Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #12 Posted September 7, 2015 The mission for Schweinfurt is darted 10/14. He spent 7 hours in the air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpstout Posted September 7, 2015 Share #13 Posted September 7, 2015 Very, very nice! The colorization is spectacular. pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Driver Posted September 7, 2015 Share #14 Posted September 7, 2015 Great stuff! I first heard of "Brennen's Circus" in a book out of my elementary school library. It was called "Airwar Against Hitler's Germany". That was on of two books I found as a kid back in the late 60's that sent me down the path of no return. Amazing to see this and immediately remember that book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #15 Posted September 7, 2015 Overseas cap named to him, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #16 Posted September 7, 2015 Lets not forget the other men that flew that day. Here are photos of other members of the crew. They appear to have been all taken at the same time in England most likely for publicity.All are identified on the back. It will be interesting to see how the new HBO series will portray the men of the Mighty Eighth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stony Posted September 7, 2015 Share #17 Posted September 7, 2015 Real nice grouping! It will be interesting to see how the new HBO series will portray the men of the Mighty Eighth. Any update on when this series is going to debut? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #18 Posted September 7, 2015 Here is a newspaper article about one of the crewman above. You can see which one is him: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share #19 Posted September 7, 2015 Im guessing the HBO series wont be released until early 2016. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat123 Posted September 7, 2015 Share #20 Posted September 7, 2015 Wow!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted September 7, 2015 Share #21 Posted September 7, 2015 Magnificent Group Kurt! Thanks for posting. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mghcal Posted September 7, 2015 Share #22 Posted September 7, 2015 What history with that group! Congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted September 7, 2015 Share #23 Posted September 7, 2015 Very nice group! All great components. As for the HBO series, it will be based on the 100th Bomb Group. They started interviewing 100th vets last fall. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bellumbill Posted September 8, 2015 Share #24 Posted September 8, 2015 Kurt - Outstanding! Great work to keep it all together. I'll be looking over this for the rest of the night. Incedently, would you categorize this as something that refutes the "nothing good turns up on ebay" or "everything on ebay is too expensive" arguments? ? Best, Bill K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Driver Posted September 8, 2015 Share #25 Posted September 8, 2015 Very nice group! All great components. As for the HBO series, it will be based on the 100th Bomb Group. They started interviewing 100th vets last fall. JD Wonder who will play Rosie? Trying to picture the two Bucky's and Harry Crosby. frank Valesh, Cowboy Roane, the list goes on I wonder if they'll try and show us Bernie Lay's view from Picadilly Lily at Regensburg. The pressures on for that one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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