Thurleigh
Airfield![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=-2_tdSb2)
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 1162 - A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a...
Built for RAF use in 1941-42, Thurleigh was initially used by RAF Bomber Command before being handed over to the Eighth Air Force. Its runways and hardstandings were improved, and the B-17s of the 306th Bomb Group began using the base. It was their home from 1942 to December 1945. Placed on care and maintenance at the end of the war, the airfield was then used as an aircraft test and development centre until it was sold in 1996.
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 32460857
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner; Flight Engineer & Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-726152
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier, Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12154095
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 6296272
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-803977
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Joan of Arc aka Flaming Mayme
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 340th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group
![Ground personnel of the 306th Bomb Group paint the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24486) nicknamed "Man O' War". Image stamped on reverse: Passed for publication 6 Nov 1942.' [stamp] and '231639.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"MAN O' WAR" OF THE FLYING FORTRESSES. "Man-o-War" - the famous American racehorse, has provided the crew of a B-17 - one of the Flying Fortresses now used by the United States Of America Air Force stationed in the country - with an inspiration for](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379019.jpg.webp?itok=KAZwsY9I)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Man O War
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Eager Beaver
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
