media-407591.jpg FRE 4209 The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hell's Angels" of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed for publication 24 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'American Public To See Veteran Raider. The famous Flying Fortress "Hell's Angels," which has raided enemy territory 41 times dropping 205,000 lbs of bombs and shooting down 16 enemy fighters, is to be flown to the United States where it will "tour" the country for inspection by the American public. Its targets include St. Nazaire (3 times), Wilhelmshaven (4 times), Paris (4 times), Hamm (twice), Lorient (4 times), Rouen (2), Lille (2), Rotterdam (2), Hamburg (2), Antwerp (2) and one raid on each on [each] Brest, Rennes, Amiens, Vegesack, Meanete, Kiel, Le Mans, Paix, Hanover, Abbeville, Schweinfurt,. Total combat time ... 207 hours, 25 minutes. Total flying time ... 531 hours, 20 minutes. ABS/F. Keystone.' Printed caption also attached: '(8). Major Kirk R. Mitchell from Oklahoma City, the Squadron Commander of the wing in which “Hell’s Angels” flies, tries the controls of the famous raider’s cockpit.' On reverse: US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

Roger Freeman Photo.