[Hornchurch]

I've taken the liberty of posting this (fantastic) shot of the famous Boeing B.17.G "Bit O' Lace" No. 42-97976 "D".

She was based in Rattlesden, Norfolk with the 447th B.G.

This shot, was taken on 12th May 1945 whilst flying over the Norfolk countryside (co-incidentally where I'm typing this !),

by the superb & famous British Air to Air specialist/photograper, Charles E. Brown.


He took a series of shots involving '976 , but this is the (individual) shot that most folks don't get to see.......
(yet, it is arguably the best)

The more famous (& well known shot - taken on the opposite & Milton Caniff 'nose-art' side), was turned into a 'poster' during the 1970's !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had it hanging on my bedroom wall, over the fireplace, in 1974, as a young teenager & by building several of the Airfix 1/72nd Plastic kit models, which featured the 'Transfer/Decal' sheet carrying the markings of '976, I became familiar with this plane.


The main reason I've posted this, is to help guys on the forum who aren't sure about the waist-windows & .50 cal arrangement, on '976 "Bit O'Lace" at the end of the War ( E.T.O. only ! ).

It was prompted by 'Timbo's' Post (No.22) in the "Confused about Mount n' Ride" B.17 thread........

I figured I'd post the (superb) shot elsewhere, as otherwise, it might have 'drowned' in a thread that wasn't directly related to '976

Loads of you guys are lucky enough to own this superb model (looks like Corgi got it right after all !)
Sadly, I don't (but I'd like to, maybe in time ?) - No-rush !!!!!!!

If I've done a "wrong-'un" & should have posted it elsewhere, then I hope you Moderators (Admin, hworth, et al) forgive me, but I believe this is an important photograph that guys on the forum will want to relate to, time & again. (Hence 'Knowledge-Base')
Just didn't wanna see this 'cracking' shot, "sink without trace" !!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy !!!!!!!!!

[mustangdriver]

That is the shot I was looking for! Thank you.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by mustangdriver

That is the shot I was looking for! Thank you.

Cheers M.D. at least we got one viewer !!!!!!!

Most folks only ever get to see the 'other' shot, taken from the 'other' (nose-art) side of '976.

That was what constituted my main bedroom wall-poster, in 1974 !!!!!!!!!!!


There's a series of four of five (published) shots, including an air to air close up of '976's nose area, as she's nestling-in to the camera-ship.........(also, another 447th B.G. bird).

Co-incidently, that was a B.17.G with it's 'chin-turret' removed (wow !).

There's also a superb shot of EIGHT other 447th '17's flying alongside the B.17 camera-ship !!!!!!!!!!
ALL taken over Norfolk, East-Anglia.

[wieh9995]

What a beautiful picture of an old veteran that made it home, thank you for sharing.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Oh man... I need a bigger picture of that Hornchurch....I want to use as my desktop...
That is a great image.
JP

[chiefs70]

Fantastic! A beautiful battle-scarred warrior which we never got to enjoy until now. Thanks a bunch Hornchurch!

[timbo]

thanks - That answers the question I had.

Great shot - Do you have the others in the set??

[ZS-VAN]

Great pic Hornchurch. I have to re-iterate Timbos' question, do you have the rest of the set? I recently got Bit 'O Lace. Gorgeous model.

[ZS-VAN]

Do you guys think that Corgi may have missed an opportunity to give us a properly weathered model?

[flyXwire]

HC, I hope you don't mind me saving that superb shot of BOL in my hard drive? Thanks for posting it!