New painting ... 94th BG B-17G

[chicoartist]

Hi guys - finally got around to scanning this one:


"Temporary Reprieve"
20 x 42 in., Oil on linen











Here's the story:

Limping along in a crippled Flying Fortress over the North Sea, still within the reach of enemy fighters, 94th Bomb Group pilot 2Lt. C. Arliss Watts and his crew breathe a sigh of relief at the arrival of an escort of P-51s. Their B-17G, nicknamed "Roll Me Over", had received flak damage while on the bomb run over Kiel, Germany, on 4th April 1945, resulting in the failure of the no. 2 engine and a windmilling propeller. The suspense was not over yet, for soon after they had passed the island fortress of Heligoland, the Mustangs would depart and no. 3 engine, seen here trailing a mist, would also fail, forcing Lt. Watts to feather that propeller as well. However, the crew did return safely to the 94th's home base of Rougham, near Bury St. Edmunds.

Wade