Along with the great closeup on-the-ground pics, a few incredible pics of 22 Squadron Bostons in action were found, as well:


Click on Image for FULL-RESAt top is a remarkable depiction, dated March, 1942, of exactly what was described (by Walt Krell, IIRC) as: "(when) we would go busting over Lae (air strip, at treetop level)" - in fact, note tree just off port wingtip, for convenient reference! Legendary Lae airstrip, near Rabaul in Papua, New Guinea, was a major Japanese outpost in the thrust against Australia, and as such, routinely attacked (and vice-versa) by 22 Squadron (and USAAF 22nb Bomb Group, wherein Krell served), operating from Port Moresby, further to the south. In that early-war period Lae was also home base of the IJN Air Fleet's Saburo Sakai, who would himself become legendary as Japan's highest-scoring act to survive WWII - and who very well could have been in the air - already, or shortly following the above pic - to go after this very Boston!

Directly behind the attacker, at the top edge of the photo, a column of dust from its bomb-strike(s) hangs in the air, while undoubtedly strafing has just been completed - at the G4M Betty, parked in the grass below. Note the Boston's nose exhibits none of the glint characteristic of the standard greenhouse - no shine at all - and is undoubtedly a gunship conversion (see below).

At bottom-left and -right, pics annotated "4/3/44 New Guinea" and "4/44", respectively, both undoubtedly portray a single raid, 4/3/44 against Rabaul harbor - and/or Salamaua, in the same vicinity. At left, three merchantmen - already sunk, spewing oil, and/or burning - are documented as the latter explodes, following the mast-height attack by a 22 Squadron plane, taking the pic as it climbs away. At right, bomb bay still open from its mid-altitude release, a 22 Squadron Boston - this time clearly seen to have its nose converted to a gunship configuration - jinks, to avoid flak bursts.

So, those are pretty awesome, huh?!! It seems to me that (at least a few) pictures of 22 Squadron at the Battle of the Bismarck Sea - the central historical component of this build - must surely have been taken, as well. Any leads or other assistance in finding these would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

-Matty