Description:


Historic oversize photograph, 19.5 x 16.5 b/w, shows two B-17s closing-in on the stern of the Italian liner REX. The caption at bottom reads: "FLYING FORTRESSES ON RECONNAISSANCE, OPENING PHASE G.H.Q. AIR FORCE MANEUVERS, LOCATE LINER REX, 776 MILES AT SEA, MAY 12, 1938. PILOTS: MAJOR C. V. HAYNES, CAPT. A. Y. SMITH, CAPT. C. C. COUSLAND. NAVIGATOR LIEUT [Curtis] LEMAY". Some loose dirt between frame and lower white margin, else fine. This photo belonged to Gen. Haynes, and was consigned directly by a linear descendant, with our letter of provenance. In May 1938, during Army maneuvers, bomber advocates wished to attempt an interception of a ship at sea, as far from land as the B-17's range would allow. The U.S. Navy refused to cooperate--instead, an officer suggested intercepting an ocean liner. Haynes flew one of the three B-17s specially prepared for the task. Curtis LeMay's expert navigation plot resulted in visual contact with the ship in poor conditions. This photograph was taken by Major George W. Goddard and shows Haynes and fellow pilot Archibald Y. Smith flying their two B-17s over the Rex "at smokestack level"--Goddard later enthused that the photo "made the front page of every newspaper around the world".

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July 14, 2020 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$100 $499 $20
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
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$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000