FLY BOYS OF WORLD WAR II

The Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park has commissioned local artist, Robert “Haney” Calhoun to create a tribute to the stories of local veterans who served in bombers during World War Two. The project, a ten foot by ten foot mural entitled “Fly Boys of WWII,” will be prominently displayed on the eastern wall of Tony’s Hardware at 7th Street and Huron Avenue in Renovo. An unveiling and dedication ceremony is being planned for Sunday, May 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, North American B-25 Mitchell, B-26 Marauder, Douglas SBD Dauntless, Boeing B-29 Super-fortress, and B-32 Dominator are all bombers that played a significant role in changing the course of events in battles in the European, African, Asian, and Pacific theaters.The late John Curcio returned to Renovo after serving on bomber crews during the Battle of the Bulge and many other notorious missions in Europe and Africa and made it his life’s work to see that the legacy of these “flying fortresses” and their crews would live on.

Curcio passed these stories and those of other locals who were members of bomber crews on to Robert Calhoun, an airman himself. Calhoun comes to this mural project with a unique insight and perspective that will enable his designs to draw visitors into the mural’s story.

“Fly Boys of WWII” is the latest addition to Heritage Park’s ongoing program to create and recognize public art in the Renovo area that contributes to sharing the story of our region’s heritage. Most recent is the Renovo Railroad Heritage mural on the eastern wall of Lingle’s on 15th Street. Three life-sized statues of CCC workers, carved in black walnut, are currently on exhibit at the Chapman Township Municipal Building. In the Renovo Post Office is a WPA mural entitled “Locomotive Repair Operation” that was painted in 1941 by renowned muralist Harold Lehman.

Like the Renovo Railroad Heritage mural, this high-tech project will be designed as a 100 square foot digital image rendered on a vinyl sheet and adhered to a pvc/aluminum backing. The vinyl is treated with a UV substance to resist the fading effects of sunlight – all intended to prolong the life of the mural. Brownie’s Signs in Dunnstown will build the project and prepare it for installation.