An extraordinary traveling exhibit, now available for booking.
The recent release of Hulu’s new Catch-22 six-part mini-series produced by George Clooney has brought the 12th Army Air Corps to the public eye. Book Bomber Boys: Portraits from the Front to introduce your visitors to the real men behind Catch-22.
“Bomber Boys: Portraits From the Front” is now available as part of the Harbor History Museum’s traveling exhibition service. Developed in partnership with the KBL Family Collection and Bering Street Studio, the exhibit features images and ephemera from the same bomb group as that featured in the classic novel and film Catch-22. Specifically, these images come from the 445th bomb squadron, 321st bomb group, 57th bomb wing, of the 12th Army Air Corps, although they are typical of so many other airmen who served in World War II.
By far a lesser known history than that of the 8th Army Air Corps, the 12th was stationed in North Africa, Corsica, and Italy near the end of World War II. They were responsible for the strategic bombing that broke down the supply line between Germany and northern Italy, a remarkable, yet little-known contribution to ending the war in Europe.
Based on a secret stash left behind by a tail gunner from the 445th, this exhibit presents striking images of the men who braved the skies above Italy, Austria, and the then Yugoslavia. Some men are identified by little notes made on the backs of photos, other images depict men whose identity remains a mystery. In every case, communities are encouraged to see if any of these men are familiar to them and their identities added to the show. Download the Bomber Boys (pdf) Exhibit Release.
Installation Photo Gallery
Exhibit Schedule
Three-month bookings through the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II in 2020 are available as noted below:
Now booking for 2019 – 2020
June 14 – August 23, 2019 ~ Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, Moses Lake, Washington
November 4, 2018 – June 2, 2019 ~ Harbor History Museum, Gig Harbor, Washington
October 21, 2016 – January 15, 2017 ~ Commemorative Air Force Museum, Mesa, Arizona
February 4 – April 30, 2017 ~ Wings Over the Rockies Museum, Denver, Colorado
July 21 – September 4, 2016 ~ Harbor History Museum, Gig Harbor, Washington
June 8 – July 17, 2016 ~ Spaceworks Gallery, Tacoma, Washington
June 8, 2016 ~ Exhibit Preview (6-8pm), presented by students from the University of Washington Tacoma, Methods of Museum Interpretation class.
Contact Stephanie Lile at the Harbor History Museum for booking details: director@harborhistorymuseum.org or 253.858.6722 x3.
Exhibit Details
Three-month rental $7,500 + shipping and delivery, includes:
30 Gallery Wrapped Canvas Prints (ranging from 18″ x 18″ to 30″ x 40″) with labels
8 Text Panels
1 Large wall mural, title graphics, maps, “Fate Cards” and mailbox
Camp bunk set
Public programs and Curriculum Kit
Press Kit
Staff and volunteer training session
2 days installation assistance by our install team (travel costs additional)
See the Bomber Boys Prospectus for more information or contact us with any questions and/or booking requests.
Bering Street Studio 