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 YouTube? Shared this video link? Thanks! More World War II color images on the Airailimages Channel include:    • Color World War II B-24 Nose Art - Eighth ...      • U.S. Navy World War II Color Photos      • World War II Color Images: Demise of Germa...   Want more B-17s, old and new? Try these:    • Mighty Eighth Air Force B-17s in Combat Ac...      • B-17 Sunset Sortie over Caldwell, Idaho - ...      • Flying in the Namesake Memphis Belle B-17 ...