https://collections.rafmuseum.org.uk/collection/object/object-1810/

Happy Anniversary to the veterans and families involved in the Second Schweinfurt Mission by the 8th Air Force, October 14, 1943. My father was copilot of TS (Big Moose) of the 384th Bomb Group. They were shot down that day; my father bailed out and ended up in Stalag Luft III. Above is a watercolor painting from my father’s scrapbook he made during his internment depicting part of that battle.

Avro Lancaster – Legendary RAF WWII Heavy Bomber @ RAF Fairford Royal International Air Tattoo 2023.

One of the most iconic aircraft of the Second World War, the Lancaster formed the backbone of RAF Bomber Command's heavy bomber force.

Powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, it became famous for its long-range bombing missions and its role in the legendary Dambusters raid of May 1943.

I absolutely love this photo.

Equipment -

Google pixel 10 pro.

50 Megapixel.

Sky enhancement.

Normal Photo settings.

You may remember my post from a few weeks about a B-24 sitting in a Soviet airfield in Poland and captured in a German Luftwaffe recon photo taken just 12 days after Polando landed in that airfield. I had some archival documents related to this story, and was lucky to find a relative of the pilot who was so kind to share more information and many photos.

Here is the full story of what happened to Polando’s B-24 and crew, an extraordinary account of wartime travelling across exotic countries, and a glimpse of how the USAAF managed the logistics of returning the crews and aircraft which ended up in Soviet territory.

Enjoy, and please support my research by becoming a free or paid subscriber!

The link to the full story is in the first comment below.

What turned out to be her final mission was supposed to be a “milk run” – a routine, uneventful sortie completed without incident. However, the B-17 was hit by an 88 mm flack shell, which blew a 7-foot by 12-foot hole in the floor, roof and side of the aircraft. Despite the damage, the aircrew ensured Miss Irish went on to complete the mission, and the pilot, Capt. John P. Gibbons, managed to emergency land the plane at RAF Raydon, Suffolk.

I’m the grandson of a member of the 747th Squadron, 456th Bomb Group (15th Air Force). He was shot down on his second mission on 17 February 1944 near Grottaferrata / Anzio on B-24H 42-52286 “The Little Joker” (MACR 03078 / 06330). He successfully bailed out, evaded for about four months with help from Italian civilians, and reported back to the British 8th Army on 6 June 1944.

I’m trying to find a copy of the 1994 Turner Publishing unit history:
456th Bomb Group: 1943–Steed’s Flying Colts–1945
(ISBN 1563111411 / 9781563111419)

A few sellers are asking inflated prices, so I’m hoping someone here has a spare, knows of a fair listing, or has scanned the relevant crew / mission pages they’re willing to share. Happy to pay a normal used-book price.
Any leads or info would be appreciated. Thanks!

ORIGINAL CAPTION: "North American P-51s give cover to a close-knit formation of Consolidated B-24s of the 8th Air Force. England." (NARA 342-C-K-002459B_001)

https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-37721-sugar/

Hoping an expert on here can help me ID this engine, found underwater off the coast of Okinawa (Cape Zanpa, former location of Bolo Point airfield).

Pictures 2 and 3 are of the side facing towards the sea floor (hence close up shots) and all other photos are obviously from the top looking down.

The differences between the Double Wasp and Homare are shockingly small, and 80ish years of marine growth make it very hard. I'm leaning towards Homare. The pushrod collar (?) connecting to the crankshaft looks more like the Homare than the PW.

Thank you in advance for any info you have!

Designed to be a fast tactical bomber, the XB-42 was developed in 1943. Currently on temporary display at the NMUSAF in Dayton Ohio.

My photos.