Flying Fortress
by Cheri Randolph
Title
Flying Fortress
Artist
Cheri Randolph
Medium
Photograph
Description
This aircraft is on display at the Palm Springs Air Museum. It was developed in the 1930s for the USAAC (later USAAF) and was touted as a strategic weapon; it was a potent, high-flying, long-range bomber that was able to defend itself, and to return home despite extensive battle damage. It quickly took on mythic proportions,[5][N 1][6] and widely circulated stories and photos of B-17s surviving battle damage increased its iconic status.[7] With a service ceiling greater than any of its Allied contemporaries, the B-17 established itself as an effective weapons system, dropping more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II. Of the 1.5 million metric tons of bombs dropped on Germany and its occupied territories by U.S. aircraft, 640,000 tons were dropped from B-17s
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April 6th, 2012
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Viewed 538 Times - Last Visitor from Wilmington, DE on 04/25/2024 at 12:27 PM
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Comments (33)
Gerald Griffin
I'm sorry could vote I'm in Arkansas power outage but very nice work
Cheri Randolph replied:
Gerald, just yesterday left the home of relatives in Hot Springs, AR - so you have my sympathy - it's no fun right now. Appreciate your visit, though, and I'm glad you enjoyed this shot.
Cheri Randolph
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Bob, and the generous promotional support of this. I think there are a couple of nice ones in TX - San Antonio & Ft. Worth. I haven't been, but they are on my "list".
Nadine And Bob Johnston
V, F, and Tweeted to 21,000+ Had 13 Uncles in WWII, one at Pearl Harbor Dec 7, was due for discharge in 3 months, served for the duration, from HI Island to Island to Guadalcanal, to Okinawa, others served in Africa, Italy, D-Day into Europe, one killed in the Bulge, one flew 27 missions in a B-17. Read all Boston papers daily and collected all the headlines, major stories, photos in scrapbooks, its as vivid a memory today to me, as it was back then, and these pics are remembered well. Visited the Aircraft Museum, before they moved it from Orange County CA, several times. Another good one in TX.
Cheri Randolph
Thanks, William. I do need to put it in the description even though it's mentioned in some comments. What has been even more rewarding is forwarding some of the comments like Jorgen Norgaard's above back to Uncle Johnny.
William Fields
Cheri, I love the story of your husband's uncle and his appreciation of this wonderful picture. I would implore you to share it with everyone in the description on this page. It is a story of a real person, a true hero who has an historic connection with the marvelous aircraft you have so aptly captured. voted, favorite
Cheri Randolph
Nadine & Bob, Many thanks for featuring "Flying Fortress" in your group, USA Artist News!
Rene Triay Photography
As a retired airline pilot, it's great to be transformed back into the cockpit via this great capture. V.
Cheri Randolph replied:
Rene, Thanks so much for your comment. It is the best kind of compliment when someone who has 'been there' lets me know that I got it right! Appreciate your vote, too.
Jorgen Norgaard
Hi Cheri Thanks for the story about your husband´s uncle and his birtday present. We are in Austria and WWII is part of every holiday down here, we have not forgotten what you husband´s uncle had done for peace in Europa.
Cheri Randolph
Jorgen, thanks for appreciating this one. I have a special attachment to this plane as my husband's uncle was radio operator on this aircraft during WWII. His plane was shot down, he bailed out, and was captured by the Germans. He then spent the remainder of the war as a POW. I processed this photo as a birthday gift for him. Thanks for viewing & voting.
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