An example of WWII-era plane art! From Sarge's archives.
Note: I have posted this photo before, of Sarge's dear cousin Andrew, and thought it was a fitting re-post for today's Sepia Saturday theme. Andrew, a Technical Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps (later became the Air Force), circa 1944. Rattlesden RAF Airfield, England. The plane with the wonderful art, a B-17 G, was later shot down over Belgium, although the pilot survived.
Interesting photo. It would be fun to see a big exhibit of art on various plane.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame BA don't adorn their planes! LOL
ReplyDeletePostcardy--There are some wonderful books on nose art especially. Some real artistry and, often, humor, went into the paintings!
ReplyDelete"The plane with the wonderful art, a B-17 G, was later shot down over Belgium, although the pilot survived."
ReplyDeleteOnly the pilot? The B-17 (all models) had a crew of nine if I recall correctly.
Nice photo, Leah. I recall this picture from the first time you posted it. I was in the USAF in the 90's, and my recollection is that the aircraft nose-art was far less 'interesting' by then.
ReplyDeleteVery atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteI'm just reading 'The Beauty Chorus' by Kate Lord Brown - a blogger. It's about the ATA in Britain, who were young women ferrying planes during WW2.
I like to think that some person now has the remnants of that lady hanging on their wall. Their war souvenir.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pic and I love the 'belle :-) Jo
ReplyDeletea piece of history and of the heart--thanks for sharing...c
ReplyDeleteI looked for some more info on the aircraft and found the following thread with three more photos: http://forum.armyairforces.com/tm.aspx?m=202837&high=bomb'n+belle
ReplyDeleteThe commentators knew that it was a 447th Bomb Group aircraft, but did not know its actual serial number or crew.
We looked up Rattlesdon (two t’s) and found it was indeed a USAF airfield (not base) in WW2 near Bury St Edmunds. There are still some buildings intact. Thanks for a great picture.
ReplyDeleteSuch cool comments, thanks all!
ReplyDeleteSnow, you're absolutely right, and now I am most curious to know about the rest of the crew.
Hunter, now there's a dissertation: a comparison of nose art then and more recently, what it says sociologically, LOL
Pat, that sounds very interesting!
Tattered, I wonder if anything was in fact left of the plane after the crash? If the nose art survived?
Alec, thank you so much for that link!! I just shared it with my husband too.
ReplyDeleteLittle Nell, thanks also for the research--I made the corrections. Interesting info!
I gather the bomber pilots got pretty blasé about their job after a while, despite the constant risk of being shot down. Or else they were actually terrified but putting on a show of bravado.
ReplyDeleteMy mother's brother was a Spitfire pilot who went missing during the war, believed killed. She has never found out what happened to him.
The image immediately evokes such a story without you having to say anything, doesn't - some photographs have that quality. Thanks for sharing it, and the details, Leah.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo - and I really enjoyed all of these wonderful comments too.
ReplyDeleteLove this photo. Love the plane, love the pose, love the hat, love the jacket!
ReplyDeleteNick that's such a sad war story!
ReplyDeleteAnother great photograph - but I still think that the original link made a great sepia post - and one on theme as well.
ReplyDeletespectacular image and rare too.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the original link as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome photo! I was just up in your neck of the woods. Took in a Yankees game.
ReplyDeleteHi Leah, Nice blog! How to add the Glitter Effect Mouse Pointer to your Blog
ReplyDelete"Glitter Effect Mouse Pointer"?
ReplyDeleteYouwza.
Where are you? Are you still with us?