World War II in colour and monochrome (theme)

2010.08.25

Sally B - she doesn't look bad for nearly 65 years old!

One of the clues as to Sally's film star past.

An Airspeed Oxford - now fully restored.

My one contribution to today's monochrome theme. I liked the way the restorers had labelled all the pipes to make sure they remembered which one did what!

Ferocious Frankie at rest. See my post from 19th September to see him in flight.

I like the instructions painted on the planes - so practical.

One of many pieces of artwork I found on the American planes.

Kevin and I decided to take a day trip to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford today, somewhere we last visited five years ago. I’d assumed there would be lots of potential black and white subjects to fit with today’s monochrome theme but I’m afraid I’ve only managed one such shot – I couldn’t resist the bright colours of the planes! We were particularly pleased to see Sally B there. She’s the only remaining airworthy B17 Bomber in Europe and she appears in the film Memphis Belle. Kevin has been a proud member of the Sally B supporters club for 24 years so he has a particular attachment to this aircraft. There was another family connection there today – an Airspeed Oxford aeroplane which was still in pieces, under restoration five years ago. Kevin grandfather was a tool maker at the Airspeed factory during World War II so he may even have had an indirect hand in the making of this particular plane. I was also especially pleased to see Ferocious Frankie, a P51D Mustang which I have photographed in flight several times over Goodwood. Aside from these particular aircraft I was also rather taken with some of the artwork on the aircraft in the American hangar at the museum – I think it’s wonderful that the brave crews of these planes had a hand in making their machines into unique individuals.

Helen, Helen, Helen! This is such a wonderful and nostalgic post! Fantastic images and fascinating information! We live near the Memphis airfield (#2) and the artwork in #9 is an Arkansas Wild Hog - a Razorback - our University's mascot! Thanks SO much for this one!

djnana · 2010-08-25: 18:50

Great captures. Stick with the colour here, they're great.

????? · 2010-08-25: 18:53

Wonderful shots. Your pictures of the Flying Fortress took me back to my youth. Where we lived on Canvey Island, one had been shot down during the war. Twenty years after the event it was still possible for us to go out and pick bits and pieces of it up. My friend's uncle told us that when he was younger he found an airman's helmet, when he dug it out of the mud it still had a skull in it - I never did find out whether that was true or just a story he'd made up.

Jarvo · 2010-08-25: 19:07