ON THE COVER:
Classic WWII photograph of a Flying Fortress crew briefing for a mission. B-17G-70-BO USAAF 43-37704/MS*J Button Nose was
assigned to the 535th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group, based out of Ridgewell. On 8 August 1944, after having flown 17 missions, the Fort
was hit in the bomb bay by flak and this started an uncontrolled fire. The crew managed to safely bail out and the falling bomber crashed near
a schoolhouse by the Canadian side of the combat line near Caen, France. Apparently, the bombs exploded on impact but
no one on the ground received injuries. British troops gathered up the crewmembers and returned them to base. (USAAF)

FEATURES:

BY WESTERN TO NORMANDY
A veteran DC-3 crosses the Atlantic to take part in
anniversaries for the D-Day Invasion and the Berlin Airlift / by Tim Savage

GANG OF ALL-AMERICANS
As part of our salute on the 83rd anniversary of the
Doolittle Raid, this article examines the five crews that
trained at Willows, California / by Ted Atlas

COLORS OF WAR
Further selection of WWII color photos displaying
interesting markings and finishes / by Michael O’Leary

THE LAST RAIDER
Kermit Weeks initiates the process of restoring the
last surviving North American B-25B Mitchell — the variant utilized on the Doolittle Raid / by Michael O’Leary

A RAIDER REMEMBERS
A Doolittle Raid pilot shares his memories of that epic event / by Mac McElroy

KEYSTONE LOCKHEEDS
This Florida airfield hosts an impressive number of
Lockheed Electras and Orions / by Ralph M. Pettersen

DEPARTMENTS:

MESSAGE FROM PUBLISHER

WARBIRD & CLASSIC REPORT
Global vintage and veteran aircraft news plus one man’s
efforts to keep historic Fairchild trainers flying / by Doug Fisher

LOG ENTRIES
Recalling the aviation exploits of legendary baseball great Ted Williams / by Mark Bingham

DOWN MEMORY’S RUNWAY
More great American aircraft from aviation’s glorious past / by Norm Taylor

AIRLINES
News and views from the readers of Air Classics