August 1944. Douglas A-20 Havocs of the US 670th Bomb Squadron, 416th Bomb Group prepare to peel off into the downwind leg of the landing pattern at RAF Wethersfield, UK. They are returning from a bombing mission to Normandy in support of the allied advance into mainland Europe. The foreground aircraft, A-20G, 43-9224, 'Miss Laid' would become the first Havoc to complete 100 missions without a failure or abort.

My thanks to the team at Wethersfield Airfield Museum, the 416th BG Archive and Mr Jim Roeder for useful references. Oil on canvas.