| Posted | Message |
|---|
rwmurphy
1/11/2010 9:37:04 PM | The book World War 2 THE SECRET WAR Time Life on page 163.The caption says "A B-17 bombs a German V-1 fuel depot at Peenemunde in August 1943 .The photograph shows a 401ST B-17 over the target with smoke from bomb hits below.I can see no #s on the plane but it does look like it has one red wind tip on the right wing. The photo is in black and white so i am not sure.Also it looks like there in a word in white on the red tip,i can not make it out.I will try and scan this photo and send it to anyone that wants it.
|
win-win
1/12/2010 1:03:44 PM | Hi:
Your wing-tip 'lettering' comment is interesting and new to me, although this photo has been the subject of 'threads' before.
I have re-scanned my own print of this photo (from the National Archives) and tried to do some 'PhotoShop' sharpening and contrast. I'm no expert, but I can't discern any writing 'per se'. I'll E-mail you my before/after results - maybe you can do more.
FYI, previous 'threads' about this photo (NARA 53553AC, which is in the 401st 'Gallery', I believe) included these thoughts and observation:
- - It appears the right wing-tip may have been a 'replacement wing-tip - Taken from an older (camo colored) B-17, and installed on this newer (silver) B-17. (The 'lettering' could be unpainted patches).
- - My print (from the National Archives), has writing along the bottom which is cropped-off the finished-photo area which reads: "X25-8-44x42-102393 -7- 22000xPeenemunde". The Aug.24, 1944, Peenemunde and "22,000" (altitude) are clear, but the "42-102393" and "-7-" aren't.
- - You can read the "SC" on the left side of the fuselage (612Sq). We know 42-102393 is "SC-R" (so it's not the plane in the image - but may be the photo plane). The plane in the image seems to be 'SC-M' or 'SC-W' (42-38033 or 42-107039, respectively), and we'd need the Mission Report to see which (or both) flew that day.
...Always, more questions...
|
win-win
1/12/2010 2:01:41 PM | Thanks to your new question, I've now been able to answer an old one of mine (about the pictured plane and the one that snapped its photo). Using the Mission Report:
- - 42-102393, SC-R flew that day, and I believe this photo was from its camera. It's position was in the 612Sq's 'hi-sq'. position.
- - 42- 107039, SC-W (Ice Cold Katy) also flew, in the 612Sq's 'lo-sq'. position.
(Thus they were abreast of each other in their squadron 'V'-formation, behind and on opposite sides of the 'lead-sq'. SC-W lwould be lower than the 'lead' (behind and to its left); and SC-R higher than the 'lead' (behind and to its right). To me, the photo looks like SC-W (in the photo) is heading slightly right (compared to the photo's vertical alignment), and although SC-W's formation position whould be lower than SC-R, it appears it has 'drifted right' and under SC-R where it shouldn't be - Thankfully, it looks like they've already dropped their bombs).
'Hope we can help get your answer...and quicker.
|
Paul Bellamy
1/13/2010 3:37:54 PM | Previous thread on identifying the aircraft in the photo: HERE.
The discolouration visible on the replacement wingtip is the two rectangular vents to allow any fuel vapour in the wings from the long-range "Tokyo Tanks" to escape.
The same vents can also be seen on the other wingtip.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
|
win-win
1/14/2010 11:59:28 AM | ...And there you have it. Within a few hours Paul 'bulls-eye's' another one answering all.
'Nuther pint for Mr. B. please, bar-person.
Thanks again Paul.
Win
|