B-17 Little Patches Graphics Set

Boeing B-17G-25-BO Flying Fortress 42-31678 “Little Patches” in Flight of 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron, code LL-L 6 1944. The name "Little Patches" was acquired after the aircraft's first combat mission with Lt William Major's crew when Frankfurt flak put many splinters through the ship. The damage was primarily cosmetic but the skin required numerous small aluminium patches prompting Lt Major to name the ship. Starcer's original pin-up painting portrayed a blonde wearing an Air Force cap. "Little Patches" was considered a 'gas-hog' by the Major crew who were concerned on long haul missions that they might not make it home. The 21st Feb 44 mission to Poland prompted plans for an emergency landing in Sweden should it become necessary but the weather closed in that day and dictated a closer target. After the 29th Mar 44 mission to Brunswick, "Little Patches" caught fire during maintenance and was so badly damaged that it was removed from operations and sent to the sub-depot for ex