The first B-17 strike in the European Theater of Operations occurred on Monday, August 17, 1942. On that day, 12 Fortresses of the 97th Bombardment Group, led by Major Paul Tibbets, 'visited' the Rouen-Sotteville Marshalling yards in northwest France. Thousands of missions have been flown as we see this crew in 1944, inspecting the damage from a storm of flak they have recently weathered. The wet hardstand gives evidence of another enemy, the often atrocious English weather, which could sometimes be as deadly as the Luftwaffe.

David Hammond is an internationally acclaimed aviation artist, known for his stunning depictions of aviation history. His artwork has been featured on "Chandelle" fine wine labels and published in Aviation History (May 2008 edition) and the Canadian Air Force Revue (Spring 2009). His paintings are proudly displayed at the Seattle Museum of Flight and the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust Museum in Wales, UK. Hammond’s oils, watercolors, and drawings are collected worldwide, with works hanging in homes across England, Australia, the United States, and Saudi Arabia.

Looks great in your garage, gun room, man cave, office, or workshop. The perfect gift for pilots, kids, veterans, hobbyists, collectors, and aviation enthusiasts. 

Dimensions: 24"x18"

Printed in the USA on high-quality poster paper.