Boeing
B-17G-45-BO
42-97264
The above rare color
photograph was taken by my good friend George Hood, who was navigator
on
the B-17G seen below ("Section Eight"**) in October 1944 while both
bombers were returning
from a raid over
Germany. Both aircraft were part of
the 95th Bomb Group. 42-97264 was named
"Shoo Shoo
---Baby". Probably one of several to carry that name.
Sadly 42-97264 was lost on a
subsequent
mission. George's aircraft was also lost later, but
fortunately he was sick that day and
hence was not part of
its crew on the fateful mission. .
** This
name, of course, refers to the condition of an airman who was crazy,
loco, nuts, whatever
one called it then. George informs me they
were all pretty well that way after their 35th mission!
Very little "counseling" for "post traumatic
stress" in those days, of course. George Hood is now 87.
Boeing B-17G-75-VE
44-8604