This Fine Art Print by Artist Craig Tinder honors the crew of B-24H Liberator 42-51136 and the bomber crews of 464th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from the United States 15th Air Force. This extremely rare, Limited Edition canvas print includes an original remnant of fuselage from B-24 Liberator cowl panel.
Artist, Craig Tinder, holding the B-24 Liberator relic that is included in "Pathfinder to Ploesti" limited edition art
Details About the RELIC:
This relic fragment was removed from a surplus B-24 Liberator cowl flap that was scrapped at the end of World War II. With over 18,000 B-24s built, it remains the largest number of American combat aircraft ever produced. Despite this, only 13 B-24 airframes remain today, making this cowl panel a rare and unique item. This piece is a tangible connection to the aircraft and its significant role in the Allied war effort.
B-24 Liberator cowl flap panel
The Story Behind the Print:
On 22 July 1944, Maj. Harold Blehm and 1st Lt. Guy Hudson, leading an experienced crew, embarked on their third mission to bomb one of the most heavily defended targets in Europe: the Romano-Americano Oil Refinery in Ploesti, Romania. Flying from Pantanella Airfield in Italy, the crew piloted a cutting-edge B-24H Liberator (serial 42-51136), the first all-aluminum Pathfinder aircraft equipped with the latest PFF (Pathfinder Force) Ground Attack Radar. This mission was part of the continued Allied efforts to cripple the German war machine by targeting the vital oil production facilities in Ploesti.
B-24 Liberators over Ploesti - notice smokescreen (light clouds) and bomb smoke (dark, billowing smoke)
The skies over Ploesti were notorious for their fierce defenses, and this mission was no exception. As Maj. Blehm and 1st Lt. Hudson approached the target, they encountered a barrage of heavy flak from ground defenses and relentless attacks from Bf 109 fighters. Escorting the formation were P-51 Mustangs from the famed 332nd Fighter Group, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, who provided essential cover during the bombing run.
Despite the protection, 42-51136 was hit multiple times by flak over the refinery. The situation turned dire as the damage to the aircraft mounted. Just moments after the bombs were released, the B-24 sustained a catastrophic hit, and the aircraft was moments from destruction. As flames engulfed the plane, 1st Lt. Guy Hudson made the split-second decision to bail out at 22,000 feet. Just seconds later, the B-24 exploded, taking with it several crew members.
Missing Aircrew Report - 22 July 1944
Hudson, along with other surviving crew members, parachuted safely to the ground but was immediately captured by Axis forces. They were interned as prisoners of war (POWs) for the remainder of the conflict. Their survival against such overwhelming odds and the role of the Tuskegee Airmen in protecting the bomber formation highlight the bravery and sacrifice of the airmen involved in the perilous bombing campaigns over Nazi-controlled Europe.
Shelly Crofut (Lt. Guy Hudson's daughter) and family at the artwork unveiling event
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