James Anderson, Russell Gackenbach, & James Corliss Signed WWII Big Stink C-12 Photo (PSA)

Presented is a hand-signed 5x7 black and white photograph depicting the crew of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Big Stink (Crew C-12), 393rd Bomb Squadron, 509th Composite Group. This historic image has been personally autographed by three original crew members: James Anderson, Russell Gackenbach, and James Corliss. The signatures have been authenticated by PSA/DNA and are accompanied by their Letter of Authenticity, ensuring both verification and long-term preservation.

The B-29 Big Stink holds a notable place in aviation and military history as one of the aircraft assigned to the 509th Composite Group, the top-secret U.S. Army Air Forces unit tasked with carrying out the atomic strike missions over Japan in August 1945. The aircraft and its crew were directly involved in Operation Centerboard II, the mission that resulted in the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.

Originally assigned as a standby strike aircraft, Big Stink took on a key role during the Nagasaki mission as the observation and photographic aircraft. The crew’s responsibilities included documenting the detonation of the second atomic bomb (“Fat Man”) and supporting mission coordination. The aircraft was piloted by Major James Hopkins, and its crew included several of the most experienced men in the 509th.

The signers of this photograph represent essential members of Crew C-12:

James Anderson – Crew Member

Russell Gackenbach – Navigator, later known for his role aboard Necessary Evil during the Hiroshima mission. He was responsible for precision navigation during the Nagasaki strike and documented the bombing through aerial photographs.

James Corliss – Flight Crew Member

The 509th Composite Group, based on Tinian Island in the Marianas, was the most secretive unit in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Its crews trained specifically for atomic missions, flying highly specialized B-29 Superfortresses modified to meet the unique operational requirements of delivering and supporting the world’s first nuclear weapons.

This PSA/DNA authenticated photograph—featuring three original crew signatures from Big Stink—is a rare and historically significant artifact directly tied to the Nagasaki mission, one of the most consequential events of the 20th century. Items signed collectively by these crews are exceptionally scarce and remain highly sought after by collectors of World War II aviation and Manhattan Project history.

Signers: James Anderson, Russell Gackenbach, James Corliss

Aircraft: Boeing B-29 Superfortress Big Stink (Crew C-12)

Unit: 393rd Bomb Squadron, 509th Composite Group

Mission: Nagasaki Atomic Strike Observation – August 9, 1945

Medium: Hand-signed 5x7 black and white crew photograph

A portion of the sale of this auction will be donated to the General James. H Doolittle Scholarship Fund. The General James H. Doolittle Scholarship Fund was founded to assist college students by awarding one scholarship annually in the maximum amount of $5,000 to a deserving student who is pursuing a baccalaureate or advanced degree in aeronautical engineering or an aerospace science. Students are selected based on their scholastic achievement, school and community participation, demonstrated leadership potential and financial need. More information can be found at the Doolittle Scholarship Funds’ website.

The autograph(s) includes an official PSA/DNA hologram and matching LOA for authenticity purposes.

Authentication: PSA LOA

Due to the uniqueness of each item, please refer to the photos provided in this auction. We offer high resolution images of each item rather than a written description of condition.

This item is being shipped from the Pristine Auction warehouse.