#4-engine

War Weary Warrior by Jeff Hooten Via Flickr: Sometimes I discover an image where subject, light, luck & atmospherics combine to create something special. This, to me, is one of those images. Through luck of composition it's evocative of Gil Cohen's painting, "Coming Home/England 1943". Obviously the light & clouds helped, but the primary success here is David Tallichet's magnificent restoration & conversion of a B-17G into a completely authentic early model B-17F. Even the top turret is authentic, coming from an E model discovered in the Greenland ice where the P-38F "Glacier Girl" was being recovered. I hope this is something you all enjoy. I certainly do! _DSC0788

Passing Storm by Jeff Hooten Via Flickr: The CAF B-29 "Fifi" rests on the tarmac as a thunderstorm passes overhead. _DSC6504_HDR

A Symphony of Cyclones by Jeff Hooten Via Flickr: B-17's were powered by four Wright R-1820-97 Cyclone engines producing 1,200 HP each. While other aircraft of the era, depending on engine & exhaust system growl or roar, the 4,800 HP of a B-17 produces, at least to me, a more song-like engine sound. Here, "Madras Maiden" conducts a full-throated symphony of engine sounds during run-up. _DSC6638

Clearing Skies Over a Fortress by Jeff Hooten Via Flickr: David Tallichet, who flew with the 100th BG in WWII (the subject of the Apple TV+ miniseries "Masters Of The Air") extensively restored this post-war B-17G to replicate an early-war B-17F variant. A replacement to the forward fuselage (where the chin-turret was, and is usually covered with a plate on current "F" restorations), adding a longer plexiglass nose common to the B-17F, and going so far as to add a working top-turret from that era's aircraft, recovered from B-17E's found under the Greenland ice where the P-38F "Glacier Girl" was found illustrate the time & expense taken to restore Mr. Tallichet's aircraft to represent what he flew in the war. According to an article in "Air Classics" magazine written at the time, this aircraft was flown across the Atlantic to star in the 1990 version of "Memphis Belle". After the movie, further authentic decals were added showing the names of crew members as shown during the real Memphis Belle's war-bond tour following completion of 25 missions. Mr. Tallichet's family has not had the aircraft flown in several years. It's currently at the Palm Springs Air Museum in California undergoing extensive maintenance to return her to active flight status. _DSC0774_HDR1bw

Good Start on #4 by Jeff Hooten Via Flickr: "Texas Raiders" fires up her engines on a cold, damp day very similar to what the actual crews experienced in England back in the day. _DSC2709

Taxiing in; A fine day for a B-17 by Jeff Hooten Via Flickr: A beautiful Summer's day welcomes "Nine-O-Nine" as she taxiis in. _DSC3151

Long Sunrise Shadows for a Liberator by Jeff Hooten Via Flickr: "Witchcraft", the Collings Foundation B-24J rests quietly on the ramp before starting the day's activities. _DSC2690