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Trudgian, Nicolas
Heaven Can Wait
B-17 Fortresses of the “Bloody Hundredth”- the Eighth Air Force’s 100th Bomb Group - return to Thorpe Abbotts following a raid on enemy oil refineries, September 11, 1944 Nicolas Trudgian’s moving tribute to the Bloody Hundredth shows the imaginatively named B-17, Heaven Can Wait, on final approach to Thorpe Abbotts after the intense battle on September 11, 1944. Skilfully piloted by Harry Hempy, the seriously damaged B-17G has struggled 500 miles home on two engines to make it back to England. They lost their tail gunner that fateful day. Below the descending bomber stream, an agricultural traction engine peacefully ploughs the wheat stubble in preparation for next year’s vital crop, the farm workers oblivious to the unimaginable traumas sorecently experienced by the crews of the returning B-17 Fortresses.
Every individually numbered copy of ‘Heaven Can Wait’ has been signed by artist Nicolas Trudgian, together with FOUR pilots and crew who flew with the 100th Bomb Group in Europe during World War II.
Lt. Colonel HENRY "HANK" CERVANTES
Captain HARRY M. HEMPY
Staff Sergeant JOSEPH ‘JOE’ KEENAN
Technical Sergeant JAMES MACK
Edition size: 500 signed and numbered
Print size: 30 1/2"w x 23 5/8"h
