Darkest Before Dawn by bmac62
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Description
Pictured here: an American Eagle Squadron (71 Squadron) pilot, his British crew chief and their Hawker Hurricane.
In the dark days of 1940 following Dunkirk, a seemingly defenseless Britain stood starkly alone in Europe, facing the might of an all-conquering Nazi Germany. Protected only by the narrow waters of the English Channel, it was left to a tiny band of young RAF fighter pilots to stem the Luftwaffe's onslaught as the country braced itself for invasion.
Across the Atlantic, America followed the savage encounters of the Battle of Britain, knowing that soon it too would become involved in the war. Unable to wait, a small band of Americans decided their time had come; some 240 young US pilots, motivated to fight for the cause of freedom, made their way to England to fly with the RAF, and later the USAAF; many paid the ultimate price, more than a third never returning home. By September 1940 these carefree young flyers were united into a reformed 71 Squadron, the first of three Eagle Squadrons, and the first to go into action, followed shortly after by 121 and 133 squadrons.
Showing the same steely determination that had carried their British comrades through the Battle of Britain, they were quickly embraced into the fold of the RAF, their ferocious reputation in combat endearing them to the British people.
Upon such things, a special relationship continues to this day.
Photo above taken in June 2009 at the USAF Museum, Dayton, Ohio.
Thanks for stopping by,
Bill:)
Comments (31)
bimm3d
wonderful work!!!!
lyron
Great work!!
tpx1
nice work
durleybeachbum
SUPERB!!!!
bazza
Superb work Bill this looks great, well done!!
drace68
Homage.
THROBBE
Love the post work! Really enhanced this image! Nice work Bill!
PD154
Excellence, these images are great bud!
debbielove
A cunning way of getting a shot of this Hurricane up! NONE of mine came out in focus... No idea why.... Works well like this again, I like it.. Cool one, mate... Rob.
kenmo
Fantastic combination of photo journalism and illustration type photography....
DAVER2112
Excellent work, Look like a comic. :)
Mousson
Super!!!
MagikUnicorn
Gorgeous Postwork
flavia49
fantastic work!!! I like the mood here and the light!!! Super text, too!
sandra46
a new superb creation! really enticing!
moonrancher
Really brings back that era. I like your postwork a lot on this, for enhancing the old-timey look.
Osper
Like the way you've done this!
jendellas
Love the way the pic is presented. Glad those young pilots came over to help us.
Buffalo1
Great pic, postwork and tribute to the Yanks in the RAF. The Hurricane is always a favorite!
Markintosh
Well done.
auntietk
I continue to be impressed! The image is wonderful, and I actually read through the entire writeup without glazing over. :) Very accessible information. Thanks!
virginiese
very nice capture ! love the postwork ! it looks like a cartoon !
goodoleboy
Neat shot of the Hawker Hurricane, seemingly postworked in Poster Edges. I believe Ronald Reagan played one of these American pilots, or something similar, in the 1941 movie, International Squadron. Reminds me of the Flying Tigers of prewar WWII.
Richardphotos
cool effect on this proud bird
npauling
I love this effect you have used here it looks lovely and aged.
danapommet
Wonderful postwork and excellent narrative. Dana
beachzz
This is a wonderful way of showing this plane, your postwork is beautiful and the info---always full interesting a highly readable!! (school was NEVER this much fun!!)
orig_buggy
Ditto to all the above ! WOWWWWW
anahata.c
another fine piece of silhouetting, and your story & history are wonderfully written. (Really, a gripping description.) I wasn't aware of the American contingent on the British side, it's an amazing story. (My Uncle was in the French Underground, as he volunteered to stalk the Nazis in France; so I know that American forces were used by allied forces.) Your filter work made this very warm, and reflects the warmth in your description of the camaraderie of the American & British fighters: nice intuitive choice. And I like how you included patches of ground around the plane, too...A fine upload, in image & word. (Yep, school was never this good!)
Clearbeer
Greatb Work!!