Photo of the bow of the American bomber Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Goonie depicting marks of 15 sorties and 7 downed Japanese aircraft.
This Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, serial number 41-2523, belonged to 72 Squadron, 5th Bomber Group and 98th Squadron, 11th Air Force Group.
The photo was taken, apparently, on the island of Espiritu Santo (in the current state of Vanuatu), where the 5th Air Group was based, when this Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Goonie belonged to it. The aircraft will be lost on March 20, 1943, after splashing down at the Russell Islands. All crew members under the command of Colonel Marion Unruh are successfully rescued.
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Goonie photo source: Library of Congress.
Location: Espiritu Santo Island, Pacific Ocean
Photo time: 1942