Operation Bolero

[BillD22]

Here's a series of shots of a B17 arriving over the airfield code named "Bluie West 1" on the rugged west coast of Greenland sometime in the Spring of 1942. The airplane makes a visual letdown in marginal visibility and occasional blowing snow because there is no instrument approach procedure in 1942.

Keep in mind the approach shots here are from FSX and show the modern day airport (BGBW) scenery with VASI approach lighting and high intensity strobes. In 1942 the only lighting would have been the white runway edge lights.

This represents one of the thousands of airplanes (mainly B17s, P38s, and C-47s) ferried across the Atlantic from the U.S. to England in the early days of WWII to form the basis of the famous 8th Air Force. The code name for this mass movement was "Operation Bolero". Despite being flown by crews barely out of basic flight training, often flying in severe artic weather, and having to land enroute to refuel at primitive fields hastily carved out of Northeastern Canada, coastal Greenland, and Iceland with no instrument approaches or navaids most airplanes made it o.k.

Although trans atlantic flights today are routine "ho hum" affairs - in 1942 it was a real achievement. These shots are a tribute to the skill and courage of the crews that made that trip

Bill

[jeh]

Those are very pretty!

[lifejogger]

I loved those pictures, the B-17 is my favorite war bird. I was a crew member of the CAF's Texas Raiders with the Gulf Coast Wing in Houston for 15 years. Flew to a lot airshow in that bird.
Then my company transferred me to the high plains of Texas.

[BillD22]

I loved those pictures, the B-17 is my favorite war bird. I was a crew member of the CAF's Texas Raiders with the Gulf Coast Wing in Houston for 15 years. Flew to a lot airshow in that bird.
Then my company transferred me to the high plains of Texas.

Thanks for the comments guys

Lifejogger: Wow!! Crew on a B17 - what a gig - I'm not too far from the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum in Savannah and about once a year they have rides in a restored B17. I think I might sign up next year

[Constinator25]

Nice ones Bill. Love the last one.

[fscabral]

Bill ...beautiful pics I remember when i used to have my lovely b-17 in revell. I just love this bird!

[aircav1970]

Great set Bill,we have a fully restored and operational Fortress hangered here in Mesa,Az. The bird,"Sentimental Journey" is still flown regularly at airshows and special events all around the western states.I really love going out to KFFZ when they fly it.The sound of those four radials is unique and awesome when they run them up!Have a Happy Thanksgiving,Gary

[NMLW]

A fine piece of work with that Retro post Bill. Very nice shots.

[peer01]

Best of the best Bill

[BillD22]

Thanks for the kind words Jan, Larry, Gary, Fabio & Conner - the B17 will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the great aircraft designs - looks like I'm not the only fan out there & glad to see there are still some in the air!