FRE 6452

IMAGE

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After a competition was held by the US Forces newspaper "Stars & Stripes" to find 'the most beautiful WAC serving in England', the resultant vote saw Pfc Ruby Newell declared the winner. Pfc Newell was a member of the Women's Army Corps, and her likeness was painted on B-17 Flying Fortress serial number 44-6483 nicknamed "Ruby's Raiders" of the 385th Bomb Group. The artwork was completed by 385th Bomb Group artist Cpl William Ploss. Image via Lieutenant Clark Barton Rollins Jr, Pilot of the 385th Bomb Group. Written on slide casing: '46483 G 550BS Ruby's Raiders & WAC.'

Connections

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

Units

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

A member of the Women's Army Corps with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-6483) nicknamed "Ruby's Raiders" of the 385th Bomb Group. Image via Lieutenant Clark Barton Rollins Jr, Pilot of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Women's Army Corps 3rd Air Division
  • Highest Rank: Corporal (RAF)
  • Role/Job: WAC
The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 43-37786) nicknamed "Madam Shoo Shoo" of the 385th Bomb Group. Image via Lieutenant Clark Barton Rollins Jr, Pilot of the 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten on slide casing: 'Madame Shoo Shoo, 337786 Z, 551 BS.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-705142
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A member of the Women's Army Corps with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-6483) nicknamed "Ruby's Raiders" of the 385th Bomb Group. Image via Lieutenant Clark Barton Rollins Jr, Pilot of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ruby's Raiders
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date:
ContributorJustyn Keeble
ChangesChanges to caption
Sources

Information from "The Mighty Eighth - The Colour Record" by Roger A. Freeman.

Date:
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection