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Nose art painted by Jack Gaffney
91st Bomb Group
Bassingbourn, England
THE SHAMROCK SPECIAL
B-17F-60-BO 42-29591
401st Bomb Squadron
Originally assigned to 95BG at Framlingham, this B17F was transferred
to 91BG in June 1943. Attributed with the name "Easy Aces" by its
former operators, the plane became one of those tended by Assistant Crew Chief Gaffney
after its arrival at Bassingbourn. Named by Jack, the Fort was a replacement for the
recently lost "Invasion No.2". Jack's step-father was of Irish ancestry, hence the
new title, and the nude pin-up on the right side clutched a carefully positioned shamrock
to preserve her modesty. A second pin-up, kneeling with a bomb, was painted onto
the left nose and, when in the sub-depot hangar for repair, a third was painted
onto the tail fin. This near-lifesize nude was one of the very few examples of fin
artwork to be seen in the 91BG. It was badly damaged in a taxi accident which
almost finished Jack as well as "The Shamrock Special" when a another plane
over-ran into the parked Fortress.
Repaired and returned to combat, this B17F
completed 26 missions before being reassigned to Air Force Service Command due
to the lack of long range Tokyo tanks.
© Ray Bowden
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