Google Images-Life magazine, WW2 collection

[hubsonfire]

There are some incredible pictures in there; thanks for the link, Dan.

[BaldEagl]

Wow.  Thanks.  Just wasted an hour at work there.

[MajIssue]

good find, though I would suggest not putting so many up here as it slows page load.

[Stampf]

JG11 is fortunate enough and honored to have (as far as I know), the only surviving Axis soldier in AH within our ranks.

Herr 'Vilkas' (you know he has shot you down) was a 13 year old Lithuanian lad when the Germans conscripted him into a similiar Anti-Aircraft gunners role.  As the only German speaking member of the gun crew he was assigned the rank of Feldwebel Der Flak, and given kommand of the crew.  Surviving the relentless retreat to the west, he managed to make his way to Berlin.  His Father was captured and held by the Russians for many years after the war.  Vilkas made his way to Canada by himelf, where he resides today.  I can not express the honor of having him among us.

Next time you see Herr Vilkas in game.  Shoot him a salute.  He is now 81 years old and can barely hold the stick steady.

[Motherland]

I don't know about that last part... I'd say Vilkas is one of the better flack gunners in the game it truly is an honor to fly with him.


Amazing pictures.

[Stampf]

He sure can sing. Nothing like forming up before a flight to the sound of Vilkas singing German classics for the group.  Talk about immersion.

[Brooke]

Wow.  These are some great pictures.

[Simaril]

OK, the caption says this is a pilot in the cockpit. The date is 1942.

I'm no master at this, but I can't place the plane. Obviously not a fighter, and the angle isn't clear -- although that looks like the top of a seat to his left, and there's definitely a cable in conduit there. I'm a little skeptical that it's a cockpit shot at all despite the caption; just not busy enough, even for a view toward the back.

The only thing that looks unique to me is the oval, hinged window/hatch above him and to the right. Could this be an A20? Or  a Ventura?

Looking some more, found this one that seems to be of the same plane. I'm thinking A20?

[Simaril]

ooh, wait a minute --

That view is from below, so there has to be a lower deck. And the oval window is also CONVEX -- so I bet its the navigator's astrodome. Could this be an early B17????

[Guppy35]

Early B17C or D I'd say.  The dome over the cockpit was not centered but off to the co-pilot's side.