Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 111:
Description
This large-format black-and-white presentation photograph depicts a formation of three early-model Boeing B-17B Flying Fortress aircraft in flight. The aircraft are shown in an echelon formation over a coastal landscape, identified as the area near Langley Field, Virginia. The planes feature pre-World War II United States Army Air Corps livery, including the blue circle roundel with a white star and red center, and distinctive red and white striped vertical stabilizers. Visible tail numbers include 61, 50, and 80. Historical records identify aircraft 61 as serial number 38-211 and aircraft 50 as serial number 38-212, both assigned to the 2nd Bombardment Group.The lower right corner of the photograph contains a handwritten inscription in dark ink that reads: To Major C. McMullen with the compliments of the 2d Bombardment Group. Howard C. Davidson Lt. Col. AC. 5/12/39. The recipient, Major Clements McMullen, was a notable Air Corps officer and the namesake of McMullen Air Force Base. The signatory, Lieutenant Colonel Howard C. Davidson, served as the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Bombardment Group from 1939 to 1940 and later achieved the rank of Major General while commanding the Tenth Air Force during World War II. The 2nd Bombardment Group was the first unit equipped with the B-17, making this a significant document of early strategic bombardment history. The photograph is professionally matted in a dark brown mat and housed in a modern wooden frame with a medium-brown finish.Dimensions: Approximately 16 x 20 inches.
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