B-17s of the Mighty Eighth in Color - Nose Art and Kodachrome slides

The incredible brilliance, clarity, and longevity of Kodachrome color transparency film enabled photographers in World War II to preserve moments in history that are evocative today as we reflect on the amazing generation who gritted their way through World War II. We present a selection of color still images showing B-17 Flying Fortresses at their Eighth Air Force bases in England circa early 1945. Colorful nose art adorns most of the bombers. Quirks in the configurations of the B-17Gs include variations to the Plexiglas noses ranging from the older long nosepiece similar to that of the B-17F to the shorter button nose, and the late-style nose that features a hemispheric top half that may have been designed to accommodate the K-13 computing gun sight for the chin turret. Some of the bomber noses show evidence of combat patches, a reminder of where they've been. The requirement to get a lot of heavy bombers on the ground efficiently is summed up in a series of three slides depicting silver B-17Gs approaching the runway in distant formation as others land successively and turn onto the taxiway. Watch for two views of the autographed B-17G 'Five Grand', taken while this celebrated bomber, the 5,000th Seattle-built B-17, underwent repairs for a wheels-up landing. Boeing workers painted their names all over the natural aluminum skin to commemorate this milestone Fortress. A couple of older camouflaged B-17Gs show evidence of their combat evolution. The original olive drab paint has faded lighter, while dark paint applied to the added cheek gun windows stands out starkly; early B-17Gs were made without cheek windows installed. As we view these beautiful color views from the past, we thank those who served.
Have you subscribed to the Airailimages Channel on KZbin? Shared this video link? Thanks!
More World War II color images on the Airailimages Channel include:
• Color World War II B-2...
• U.S. Navy World War II...
• World War II Color Ima...
Want more B-17s, old and new? Try these:
• Mighty Eighth Air Forc...
• B-17 Sunset Sortie ove...
• Flying in the Namesake...

[@airailimages]

And fair play for the B-24s -- here's 8th Air Force B-24 color nose art: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enaph36EbJiha9E

[@BaumannJA]

An AWESOME collection of historical memories. As you admire these beautiful Bombers...take a moment or two to remember all the men who Flew, Fixed and did everything else it took for these aircraft to accomplish what they were there to do. Their service and sacrifice Saved the World.

[@MrShenyang1234]

The Men who flew these dangerous, perilous missions are bar none, the Finest Men who have ever lived! Thank You.

[@airailimages]

And thank you for watching and commenting.

[@DISGUYROX]

So many of those who jerk their knees in criticism while calling this "sexist" have no understanding of one of the major aspects of nose art. That is that it fostered an emotional connection to these brave men with each of their airplanes. Nose art was not only on bombers. It was also on other aircraft INCLUDING fighters. I can understand the ignorance of what is/isn't acceptable concerning this today butt, it is too bad that the emotional connection between these brave airmen and what was "living" nose art is ignored, forgotten and/or misunderstood. BTW~I'm 83, born in January 1939 and, I can remember what everything was like during the war years. I had uncles & cousins IN war zones~they all came back. They were the reason I enlisted in the Navy. America was a wonderful~TOGETHER~place back then and into the 1950's when things began to change. That place will never exist again and I absolutely feel fortunate to have experienced it.

[@Joop.23-2-63]

A very well placed comment, sir. Greethings from the county of Twente, near the German border, Netherlands.

[@ronaldmatros9890]

Most of those great men are gone but will never be forgotten. Thanks for the great video.

[@airailimages]

You are very welcome. Yes, I grew up with people like the B-17 crews as my adult neighbors, my teachers, my parents' friends. They were good role models before we even knew what a role model was.

[@SoapBoxMediaTV]

Gotta love that Kodachrome back then. ASA 12 or something. My dad did a lot of color stuff too during the war. His B-17 was called “E Z Goin’ “. It had a drawing of a turtle with a bomb on his back.

[@garyc6183]

Outstanding! Gotta love Kodachrome, it stands the test of time. I think the final image sums up the air war the best.

[@airailimages]

Thanks for watching. Yup -- Kodachrome was the standard for color when I was a young photographer. Some publications would not even consider any color photos unless they were Kodachromes. Glad some of the wartime Kodachromes are still around.

[@roadking99jokerst60]

Thank you for your efforts. Dad was in the 487th BG, 839th BS . Square P on the tail rudder. Base was near Lavenham, Suffolk. Regards.

[@airailimages]

And thanks for watching and commenting. It's good to remember our parents and that time in the world.

[@davegeisler7802]

Another hero from the Greatest Generation 🇺🇸👍

[@wolfgangkrebl3056]

Wish they should be still around. Great video - especially the b17 with all the signitures. Thank you

[@markfrench8892]

The B-17 with all the signatures is Boeing's 5000th B-17. All the employees that helped put it together wrote their names on it. Sadly the plane survived the war only to be cut up for scrap in Arizona.

[@wolfgangkrebl3056]

@@markfrench8892 thx for the info. What a pity. It could have been a monument for all the women and men that helped to win that horrible war

[@garysimpson3900]

Very evocative pictures. Having visited the sites of many 8th USAF airfields in East Anglia over the past 25 years it would have been informative to give a caption of which airfield the pictures were taken at. Almost all airfields have now returned to agricultural use so these historical locations are now farmers fields with the occasional small monument or strips of concrete being the remnants of runways or perimeter tracks to remind us of what was there & the bravery of the aircrews. The aircraft themselves were hero's & it is sad to think that they, who brought their crew's home time after time (as depicted in some of the operation scores pained on the fuselage) would be parked up in the Arizona desert & scrapped as life moved on.

[@aceshigh6499]

Fantastic photos! Thanks for sharing.

[@airailimages]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@ezrabrooks12]

Good Video/Work. I ALWAYS LOVED THE NOSE ART!!!!!.....THE B-17 WAS A TUFF AIRPLANE BUT THEIR ALSO WAS A LOT OF OTHER VERY TUFF PLANES BUILT DURING WWII!!!!....I ALWAYS LOVED THE NOSE ART !!!!!...THE B-17 WAS NOT ONLY VERY TUFF BUT IS WAS ALSO A SEXY FLYING MACHINE THAT PILOTS ENJOYED FLYING,UNLESS THEY WERE IN HOURS OF HORROR AND VIOLENT ATTACKS FROM THE ENEMY!!!!!...A LOT OF THESE AIRCRAFT STILL MADE IT BACK HOME,NO MATTER HOW BAD THEY WERE SHOT UP!!!!!!......A BIG THUMBS UP TO AMERICAN BUILDING SKILLS OF THE DAY!!!!!!

[@jeannineamos1178]

Those planes are beautiful. Those were brave Americans truly one of the greatest generations. I believe the first generation that fought fir our freedom from England was another. Both very very special

[@lawtongore7053]

I love seeing those old bombers, they give you a sense of what those guys had to endure during those flights... Great video 👍👍👍

[@airailimages]

And thank you for watching and commenting. Yes, seeing great World War II photos helps to keep the memories, and respect, for that generation alive.

[@theblytonian3906]

Joy flights flown by propagandised kids killing women, infants, children, the infirm and elderly did you mean? Only thing I wish ALL of them had had to endure was being shot down and either killed or incapacitated.

[@carlmon8290]

My Dad was the Radio operator on Schnozzle. I've never seen the nose art before. Thank you very much

[@airailimages]

That's great! Glad you saw it.

[@1960dave1960]

Woah, that is some story!!…..you must be proud, and quite rightly so…..🫡

[@jekylthorn8969]

Incredible. Such a warm realism it was about as close to being there as any of us will get. Amazing.

[@airailimages]

Thank you for watching and commenting. Yes, there is an amazing sense of realism in these Kodachrome slides.

[@amd5617]

Very moving. Thanks for sharing and allowing us to remember those who braved all for a free world.

[@airailimages]

You are very welcome.

[@billbright1755]

Nice Bright Colors.

[@airailimages]

Yes -- these images were made originally on Kodak Kodachrome film that held its colors well over time. Thanks for watching.

[@stefanschutz5166]

Thank you from Amsterdam. A great collection. I made a ride in the Sentimental Journey. Stefan. Life member CAF

[@airailimages]

You are very welcome. Good to hear from you in Amsterdam. Yes, a flight in a B-17 like Sentimental Journey is a wonderful experience.

[@frederickwhite6416]

Awesome stuff, love 5 grand with all the signatures and the sky pilot blessing the men. Very impressive

[@airailimages]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@frederickwhite6416]

very much so. Who doesn't love planes, trains and automobiles? We had 4 sheets of plywood put together in our basement. We had a rather large HO setup so we spent a lot of time in the basement. Growing up close to Strasburg made things really fun. I came close to working for Conrail but a flight spot opened up and that was that.

[@mrj4990]

Holy lord what a god damn treat this video is! Thank you for sharing!

[@scruffscruffeton986]

Amazing to see how colorful these machines actually were, even in unpainted combat state. Excluding nose art, (my favorite), yellows, reds, black highlights all over. Safer then being there, but, you can still smell the grass, fuel, lubricants while viewing.

[@WittnerMusic]

Stunning. Thank you.

[@airailimages]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

It's great to see so many color pictures of these great Forts..

[@airailimages]

Glad you like them!

[@yl9154]

Amazing images. Thank you!

[@airailimages]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@patrickmann3123]

This makes me want to make airfix models again.

[@jvleasure]

Holy cow! I have the uniform of a man that was a pilot on the first plane in the video!

[@airailimages]

Small world! Thanks for watching.

[@jvleasure]

@@airailimages thanks for putting that together!

[@stevenroland7472]

If you enjoy these photos recommend you go to USAF Museum at Wright Pat AFB in Ohio. Restored Memphis Belle is on display.

[@redtomcat1725]

Very good !!

[@airailimages]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ottomellar6774]

1. Fantastic! 2. We scanned some Kodachromes from the 1940s, and I feel strongly they were superior to all later versions. 3. I was not aware that B17 had so much firepower at the front end, yet I've seen lots of WWII flying movies. 4. Just fantastic.

[@Caseytify]

Depends on which version of the Fortress you're talking about. She didn't get a chin turret until the G model. There were a lot of F models produced before then. The Memphis Belle is a B-17F.

[@michaelgibson4705]

I think the later models had chin turrets and single side gun to counter the tactic of head on attack which was found to be effective when attacking a formation

[@theallseeingmaster]

The shots we never get to see, stacked hay for the farmers, the bombs in storage near the field, wings cannibalized for future use..

[@allamakee1397]

Outstanding video -- thanks for uploading -- job well done - fun to watch

[@airailimages]

And thank you for watching and commenting.

[@thepilot9796]

Great presentation!

[@airailimages]

Glad you liked it!

[@pbellbell]

great --outstanding clips guys.

[@airailimages]

Thanks for commenting.

[@JUNKERS488]

THANKS FOR POSTING

[@airailimages]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching

[@track1219]

Nice! I wonder if Rosie the riveter was painted on a plane.

[@enscroggs]

3:19 Notice the stencil above the nose art: U. S. Army -Model B-17 G-45-BO, Air Forces Serial No. 47-97230, Crew Weight 1200 lbs. There were ten crewmen aboard a B-17G. They must have been some lanky guys to total 1200 pounds.

[@gaborkorthy8355]

My mother was on the receiving end of those B-17s in Budapest Hungary during the war. She said you really didn't need air raid sirens. You could hear the bombers coming twenty minutes before they arrived.

[@marklimbrick]

This will be a fetish group. None of them actually faced dilemma of dropping bombs on kids. The crews had none of the nonsense attached to a stinky noisy machine historical fat gut buffs do now. A killing device with a badly scrawled cliche of tits and ass.

[@francisarrigo8789]

Very interesting that all of the chin turrets on the “G’s” were turned 90 degrees on the ground

[@airailimages]

I believe that is to make the butt end of the guns accessible through small panels for removal of parts and cleaning. Hey, thanks for watching!

[@Caseytify]

@@airailimages Or, perhaps, removal of the guns for maintenance? edit: note that most scale models of the G don't include the zippers for the chin turret.

[@briancooper2112]

Awesome!

[@airailimages]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@snowron72]

Great put together

[@airailimages]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@rickeymitchell8620]

As the pictures scrolled I found myself wondering how many aircraft made it home and what was the fate of the crews. God Bless them all and eternal thanks to them.

[@ThePsiclone]

If you're really curious, the book "The B17 Flying Fortress Story" by Roger A. Freeman and David Osborne (arms and armour press) has an appendix, listing by tail number almost every single airframe, when and where built, where it was modified, where it was assigned and to which group, and for most, what happened to them, where they were raiding when it happened, and many even their crews fate, some have some quite interesting entries. I say almost all of them, obviously it was wartime, so some planes the info is incomplete or for a few non existent as the records were lost. Its an invaluable resource as when you see a B17 in film or photo, if you can get the tail number you can identify it. It also includes in some detail the design and evolution of the B17 from 1st prototype onwards.

[@nickbreen287]

Very good quality.

[@ccthepope]

Aint't that the truth!

[@airailimages]

Thanks!

[@arthurbenephraim5077]

Superb.

[@airailimages]

Thanks for watching.

[@clementealbiceleste]

sooo PERFECT!

[@airailimages]

Thanks for watching!

[@davegeisler7802]

It doesn't look so old when you see this in color. Yet .. Sadly , most of the Air Crews are gone now , with the youngest Airmen at that time closing in on 100 years old now. 🇺🇸😔😢

[@airailimages]

Yes -- when I was much younger, it seemed like they would be around forever. Glad i got to talk with as many veterans of that time as I did.

[@davegeisler7802]

@@airailimages Thank goodness we have first hand accounts from these great heroes like Lt.Col. Robert "Rosie " Rosenthal from the 100 BG out of Thorpe Abbotts in East Anglia on You Tube. RIP American Hero 1917-2007 🇺🇸

[@Rozpadlina]

werry good video....

[@airailimages]

Thanks, and thanks for watching!

[@Rozpadlina]

airailimages no problem...keep it going!!!happy New Year!!!good work...

[@robertjohns2434]

Photos from early '45....Dads 17 was shot down early '43, he'd been through a number of camps by then, was freed from Stalag 17b......305th BG, 366th BS,.....Always on the search for a photo.

[@airailimages]

Hope you find a photo! Thanks for watching.

[@harveyml04]

love the video

[@airailimages]

Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting.

[@robertodebeers2551]

How did they do it? My father served at Polebrooke Airfield.

[@airailimages]

A remarkable group of people who gave us good role models for the rest of their lives.

[@dnlcast2]

Does any one know the name of the last music piece played? That piano music just sounds very soothing.

[@MrBothandNether]

Erik Satie Gymnopedies

[@garymarshall3479]

These planes are all G models with chin turrets. Most of the D models from earlier in the war didn’t make it.

[@stratabuser]

Nice video! What was the first song, the big band number? Sounds familiar but I can't place it.

[@airailimages]

"1940s Slow Dance", from the KZbin Audio Library

[@mikego18753]

Yep

[@ernestpaul2484]

Every single one of the B-17s were G models with the chin turret.

[@richardneagle3177]

God rest their brave souls 🙏

[@airailimages]

Yes.

[@daveedgrand7942]

I walked through one at the Palm Springs Air Museum, In the movies they look like armored vans once inside you develop a whole different respect for the amazing heroes who flew them, they are fragile tin foil coffins.

[@yl9154]

So true. It took a lot of courage. Getting out quick would not have been easy.

[@cerfvolant11]

Took me a while to work out the guy doing karate at the end was a chaplain!

[@billhuber2964]

Where's the picadelly lilly?

[@jerrychase4177]

Who did you like best, Savage or Gallagher?

[@samuelhowie4543]

Makes one wonder what the German pilots thought when they saw the nose art.

[@stevenroland7472]

Read somewhere that one of the US Generals complained that the German's must have thought they were being attacked by a Lingerie Catalog.

[@dukecraig2402]

With all the .50 cals banging away at them I highly doubt they had the time to admire the artwork. I read an interesting statistic not long ago, for every 11 bombers shot down by German fighter's the bombers shot down 10 fighter's, yea I know there were 10 crewmen in every bomber and usually only 1 in a fighter but the point is plane for plane the bombers got their licks in, it wasn't as lopsided as people think it was, matter of fact not long ago I watched an interview from not long back with two German fighter pilots that survived the war, one of them said that attacking a bomber formation was a very unpleasant experience and that if there was only one or two fighter's doing it then it was almost guaranteed suicide.

[@Caseytify]

Not much for the music, but a nice slide show.

[@briancarbone419]

Ok, someone please help me out here, go to 3:55, the “Mason & Dixon” and the officer in the Jeep looking at the camera, what is going on with his face? Is it a mask????

[@airailimages]

Probably image issue at some point in the copying.

[@johndoes2434]

One you won't see his Fusion wagon who is hit and cripples the Battle of Saint Lo which of the breakout of American forces into Europe Ed Lindsay Copilot 3 missions wounded belly landed in England

[@fuffoon]

Its nose art, not nozart or Mozart. Recognition is getting better but there is still confusion.

[@andrewjones3978]

almost all G models

[@MrJulio1938]

GRACIAS B 17...OCCIDENTE LES DEBE LA LIBERTAD, A USTEDES Y A SUS VALIENTES TRIPULACIONES.

[@36736fps]

Anybody know the story behind all the signatures on "5 Grand"?

[@airailimages]

That was the 5,000th B-17 built by Boeing in Seattle. The Boeing workers painted their names all over the airplane before it left town.

[@36736fps]

@@airailimages Thanks. I thought it might be related to production because of all the female names.

[@danwilliam3342]

I know it survived the war only to be scrapped in Kingman,Az. Don't know its combat record.

[@dotell3359]

Talk about lost art.........

[@airailimages]

It is interesting how so many groups, or airfields at least, found good artists in their midst.

[@riderstrano783]

Little children beware.

[@marklimbrick]

Satie was a pacifist. So what? Well this is fetish of the past. The same 'orders is orders' attitude. If you understood this, it would be possible to appreciate the desperate attempt to keep some measure of humanity with witty decorations on planes. And the blown apart human beings left after each raid. Doubt they had much 'fighting' moral left in that fragmented state. But leaders of war think in thousands and millions of casualties. Intercut some victims of this jingoism.