https://portraitofwar.com/favorite-wwii-photo-collections/
Ahh, it's an A26! Here's another example to show the same prop stripe around the nose, same plexiglass nose, same nose gear doors (Previous guess of a P38 was obviously different nose gear doors) (thanks Steven!)
Why the "502" under the lettering?
I can't find another image or more info on THIS plane yet, but, there were other "Last Straw" of course, just none with such exquisite nose art and lettering
B-17E 41-2432 “The Last Straw” of the 43rd BG, 63th Bombardment Squadron New Guinea 1943
https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-17b/
https://www.historynet.com/pacific-tramps.htm
Looks like it blew the left engine, but with R2800s, which they were, you could lose a cylinder and barely know it. Friend of mine flying a Convair 440 ages ago blew a cylinder and didn't know it until after he landed and found it lying in the bottom of the nacelle.
ReplyDeletelol, of course I was studying the nose art, didn't realize that the plane is covered in oil. Geez! What a mess.
DeleteThat's gotta be startling to find the pieces of engine when you land...
Looks like a camel to me.The straw that broke the camel's back.
ReplyDeleteGreat comparison of aircraft. The B-17 was designed in the '30's and the A-26 was first saw combat in 1943-44. Though the A-26 was a medium bomber technology was advancing to the point its cruising speed was equal to the B-17's top speed. Its range and payload for a typical mission was getting pretty close to that of B-17 as well.
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