Hello everyone,

I have never posted on this forum before but I have a question that perhaps someone here can help me with. I was at Lackland AFB thsi morning adn while looking at the static displays I found a B-17 with a very different looking graphic on the nose. The bomber had the traditional bomb graphics (for each mission) a couple of nazi swastikas (aerial kills) but there was also a tricolor bomb. Please take a look at the pictures and see if you can figure out what this is suppose to symbolize.

thanks..

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...A/DSCI0042.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...A/DSCI0043.jpg

I believe IIRC the large bomb marking symbolised the 50th mission flown by an aircraft. I can't tell if it is blue or black. If black then maybe it meant the 50th mission was to Germany

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

Appears to be a dark blue mate.

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if that crue ond the plain had done missions they would be grinning
they would probley be on there way home a job well done
not shore but..USA.bomber missions ( 25.or.30.) if you lived you had the choise of going home or staying
british bombing mission ( 50 plus
if i am wrong with this please correct me
best krieg

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for thow . will be ours someday.we shall have it all
... und mear.......

Apparently the the real Heavens Above flew 128 missions, I would guess that the larger rows are of 50 each and that the 5 bombs, 2 swastika and the big tricolor are special... not too much on this particular plane though.

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This is a total guess, so don't take it as gospel.....

The original aircraft flew with the 388th BG out of Knettishall. From mid-'44 to early'45 the Group was involved with the 'Aphrodite' project. Could the aircraft have been involved in some way ? Several 'Aphrodite' targets were in France which is what has made me wonder......

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Perhaps becuse of it being larger and red,white and blue meant the 100th mission?

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

WOW, no one seems to know what this is.

I will continue to search for an answer and IF I ever get one I will post it here....