While browsing through the Prints & Photographs Online Catalog, the perfect timing and composition of this shot caught my eye. Seeing the final moment before the plane completes its flip and collides with the deck, I want to reach out and stop the accident from happening.
Luckily, the caption on the back of the photo assures the viewer that both the pilot and gunner were not hurt in the resulting crash.
Learn More:
- Enjoy personal stories of World War II pilots, Wings of War, from the Library’s Veterans History Project.
- See more images related to fighter planes in the Prints & Photographs Online Catalog.
- View other attention-grabbing images from the Picture This: Caught Our Eyes series.
- Explore the subject index of the Farm Security Adminstration/Office of War Information Collection for photos related to World War II, including images of aircraft training.
Comments (2)
THANK YOU LIBRARY OF CONGRESS for these daily glimpses into your riches!! Moving was a part of life for many years – in a new community I found my church and got a library card. Now THE LIBRARY comes to me each day! Carla, we are so proud of you! MTK from Baltimore!
I am new to the Library and dare I say: What a treat to have such clear and organized collections. I have trouble with the imagination replaying the impact because it haunts me to think I am powerless to do anything; except watch. I want to see something different and most of all want to help. I feel like nothing in the world would matter if that were me with a cross tell and no help. There is always a way out because I am forced to believe the accident ended in none injured. He had a tail gunner bring up the rear, if not for history sake, at least as a comforting memory. Thank you for The Smithsonian Experience. One day I would love to see it with my kids. Clearly, they would have a great time, if I could make it happen. For now, I survive on hope. Faith is a gamble these days when flying alone.