TODAY IN AVIATION HISTORY - AUGUST 6, 1945 - ENOLA GAY

At 0245 hours, a four-engine, long range heavy bomber of the 509th Composite Group, United States Army Air Forces, took off from North Field on the island of Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands, on the most secret combat mission of World War II. The Martin-Omaha B-29-45-MO Superfortress, 44-86292, under the command of Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., was carrying Bomb Unit L-11, the first nuclear weapon to be used during war. On the morning before the mission, Colonel Tibbets had his mother’s name painted on the nose of the airplane: "Enola Gay".

For those interested in "Enola Gay" Aviation Collectibles, we have many that would be a great Aviation Gift, like the B-29 "Enola Gay" Nose Art Panel , Framed Enola Gay Returns to Tinian Print With B29 Skin Signed or The Peacemakers Aviation Print. Shop any of our Military Art Prints, Aviation Books and Collectibles today.