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.' media-379028.jpg 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 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.' Roger Freeman Collection

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

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Albert Franklin Masters

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35798360
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator Gunner

Amos Roy May

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16043996
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
Albert McMahan

Albert Neal McMahan

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 14003199
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner; Ball Turret Gunner

Allan F Meaux

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 16046364
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Connecticut Yankee. Standing L to R: ? (AE), Nagy (B), Lt. Lockyear (CP), Klette (P), Lt Dash (N), ?. Kneeling L to R: ?, Sgt. Holleman (WG), ?, ? (BT).'

Albert John Nagy

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-735906
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

41-24507

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Yankee Raider
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
A/C 41-24508 Time's A Wastin! Pilot William H Warner 306BG

41-24508

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Time's A Wastin'
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group

41-24509

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Miss Swoose
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron

41-24510

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Snoozy II
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (LG-W, serial number 41-24511) nicknamed "Wheel and Deal", of the 322nd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group. One of the aircraft's engines has had its propeller shot off. Passed for publication 24 Mar 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Passed by the Censor - No. 254771. Flying Fortress Reaches Base After Raid On Wilhelmshaven With One Propellor Shot Away. The German naval base at Wilhelmshaven was successfully attacked in daylight on March 22 by American Flying Fortresses and Liberators.

41-24511

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wheel N Deal
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected aircraft records that have 'Thurleigh' in their biography fields.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Barry Anderson, Army Air Forces Stations (Alabama, 1985) / Roger Freeman, Airfields of the Eighth Then And Now (London, 1978).

Thurleigh: Gallery (84 items)

Object number: UPL 41233 - 306th Bomb Group, 423rd Bomb Squadron. Morgan and...

Object number: UPL 41448 - Harvey P Ryder crew 306BG/369squadron

Object number: UPL 45571 - B-17G-75-VE #44-8652 "Drive It Home" Code: A 306th...

Object number: UPL 45572 - B-17G-44-8652 "Drive It Home: Code: A 306th BG -...

Object number: UPL 50434 - B-17 42-31143 'Satans Lady', 306BG (Triangle H)

Object number: UPL 5531 - The 1st Lieutenant Thomas D Hedley crew at Station...

Object number: UPL 5628 - Officers of the original Charles W. Smith crew...

42-102558

Object number: UPL 73503 - 42-102558 "Silver Streak"

42-31143 Satan's Lady

Object number: UPL 77292 - 42-31143 Satan's Lady, 306th BG.

Master Sergeant Franklyn A. Turek

Object number: UPL 79090 - Master Sergeant Franklyn A. Turek. Crew Chief for...