Above: 19-year old SSgt. Earl D. Martin shakes hands with Ruby Newell in front of the B-17 (s/n 44-6483) which carried her name and likeness. This picture was taken in late 1944.
Behind: Stan Stokes' print "Ruby's Fortress". For details on this print, see below.

"We started our tour September 5, 1944. We weren't assigned an aircraft to use regularly at first, we just took whatever was ready to go. We caught some "F" models including the "Joker" and some other pretty well patched up planes.
    After about 10 or 12 missions we were told we were to get a brand new plane and that we would be "stood down " on a certain date.  Unfortunately, I can't remember or locate that exact date. We were to be dressed in class "A" uniforms and report to group headquarters for press coverage of our receiving our new ship. We had learned that there had been a beauty contest to determine the most beautiful WAAC in the U.K., and that winner would name our new ship.
     We were thrilled to meet our two new ladies; Ruby Newell was no doubt the most beautiful WAAC, and our new B-17G was also very beautiful, especially with Ruby's likeness done so well, by our Cpl. Ploss, on the side below the cockpit. We each had our photo taken shaking hands with Ruby and then had lunch with her. Very sweet lady. We then took her up for a ride in our new airplane. The whole crew : Frank Blackwell, Pilot; Herb McGregor, Copilot; John Heitster, Bombardier; Marshall Lash, Navigator; Steve Fabeny, Engineer Gunner; Orval Garrett, Radio operator; Maurice Shannon, Waist Gunner (who, by the way, is the man my Son, Dr. M.C. Martin is named after); George Stasny, Ball Turret; and yours truly, Earl Martin in the Tail Gunner Position. At this time [December 2001] I can only account for three of us; Fabney, Garrett, and  myself.
     That was the day we became "Ruby's Raiders ". Another crew finished the war with her , but we shall always be the original Ruby's Raiders.
                                    -[SSgt.] Earl D. Martin, Tail Gunner, "Ruby's Raiders"
                                                                                                            December 2001

Above is the story as given to me by Earl D. Martin, my grandfather-in-law. As for how this story came to be placed here on this marvelous site was, with no doubt in my mind, nothing short of divine intervention.
     I was thinking about Earl and the B-17G  "Ruby's Raiders" one night in November, 2001, shortly before the birth of my daughter, Earl's great-granddaughter, and after a particularly eventful night in our "New War on Terrorism ".  I began thinking of our past heros from previous wars , and how would my daughter remember this war compared to the one Earl fought so many years ago.
     I did an internet search and located Riveting Images. I really didnt think that there would be such a beautiful

RUBY'S RAIDERS

"I did an internet search and located Riveting Images. I really didn't think that there would be such a beautiful print on this site but it came up in my search and, lo and behold, there she was, Ruby's Fortress, Earl's plane."
-Joe Johnson

If you've read my introduction on the Riveting Images home page, you know I believe aviation art is much more than images on paper. This story of Ruby's Raiders, shared by Earl D. Martin, B-17 tail gunner, and his grandson-in-law, Joe Johnson, emphasizes that point.  -Kerry Fores, Owner, Riveting Images

print on this site but it came up in my search and lo and behold, there she was, Ruby's Fortress, Earl's plane.
     Being as Christmas time was coming up I talked to Earl's son and daughter-in-law and decided that this would be the perfect gift for Earl.
     The odds of finding a print of this plane were beyond chance and I think that it was nothing short of a Christmas Miracle and our chance to honor one of America's heros and a personal hero to all of our family. We love You Earl, and thank you for fighting the good fight so many years ago.

-Joe, Beth Leanna, Kara, Rick, and Gail
January 2002

Ruby's Fortress, by Stan Stokes
This B-17G of the 385th BG was painted to honor Cpl. Ruby Newell, who had been voted the most attractive WAC in England in 1944.

11.5" x 16"
L/E of 4750 - $40.00
L/E of 225 signed by Major General Carl Peterson, pilot of Ruby's Fortress - $100.00

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