Photo, USAAF, B-24D, Nose Art, 'SKY WITCH'

Genuine WWII photograph of B-24D Liberator, 42-72815, 'Sky Witch', 90th Bombardment Group, 400th Bombardment Squadron, 5th U.S. Army Air Force.

his B-24 had been specially modified for reconnaissance missions: it was fitted with a 400-gallon tank in the bomb bay, as well as two additional 160-gallon tanks located in the cockpit area.

On 7 November 1944, it took off from Indonesia to locate the Japanese fleet off the coast of Borneo. For nearly forty minutes, while flying over its target area, the aircraft had to face at least nine Zero fighters. The crew managed to shoot down four of them before beginning the return flight. Despite the heavy damage sustained, the B-24 successfully covered the 1,000 miles back to its base and landed without incident.

However, the aircraft was too badly damaged to be returned to service. It was likely used as a source of spare parts before eventually being scrapped.

8.5cm x 6cm.