WWII aircraft never cease to impress me, especially these heavy bombers. The complexity and beauty of these pre-digital-age machines is simply staggering and a testament to the genius of their creators.
Agreed. Their ultimate purpose was rough but when you consider the time, energy, physical work and knowledge required to get these birds into the air...Just wow. I will be seeing one fly in May and wish I could be riding along as well. Thank you for the post. Very fascinating.
@@otakufan8957 Wrong. The “auto pilot” you might be referring to was just a switch to throw to give the flight control to the bombardier below the pilot. This allowed the bombardier to control the small flight adjustments to smooth out the bombing run. Once the pilot had the plane on a level flight, aimed toward target, this would be done. Must heavy bombers had this. Someone STILL controlled the plane, “not auto pilot.”
My great uncle flew B-17s and P-38s during the war. He survived the war only to die in a tragic B-17 accident at a Topeka Kansas airfield in 1947. He was only 34. He was attempting to take off when the plane lost power. He held the plane as steady as he could and instructed everyone to bail as best they could manage considering they were only feet above the runway. He held that plane steady as three managed to get out and survive. After that the plane hit the trees at the runways end and unfortunately him and some others were killed. Captain James Montgomery Poole is a hero to me and my family. His name will live on as long as there is a United States. He is buried, among so many others, at Arlington national cemetery. His sacrifice and many like his is the reason we have this wonderful country. I never met my great uncle but I love him.
Scott Poole, nice tribute to your uncle, I share your pain. His accident probably happened at what is now called Forbes. He did save 3 lives that day, best he could with the physics involves.
sadly today October 2nd 2019 the B-17G NINE-O-NINE, lost power and crashed in a big fire ball in Connecticut, 13 on board, many have died, she was delivered to the Army in April 1945.
@@MarkSmith-js2pu He didn't save 3 lives, based on the possible offspring of those people, he may have very well saved anywhere from a dozen to a few hundred people that day...
+sierra delta Thank you! I am just reading the book of Bruce Lewis, Bombercommand. It just illustrates a bit the last chapter of his authobiographic document.
This gave me goosebumps. My Father flew 25 missions over Germany in the early part of WWII, before they had fighter escorts that had the range to protect them all the way to their targets.
Phew. And even looking at a computer screen, the bombardier's position with all that plexiglass made me feel really vulnerable! How must it have been for those lads facing fire? That said - a fighter is much more nimble, but a B-17 is a PRICKLY blighter with all those guns, isn't she? Wow. Flying fortress indeed. I'm also glad your Dad made it home.
I'm a trucker one day I was driving in Texas a B-17 flew over the road I was on. It was awesome. I'll never forget that. It was very low also that even made it more enjoyable to watch. My hat goes off to all who flew one with all my respect to the pilot and crews that was in WW2.
I remember in Phoenix during PE we were playing baseball on an open green field on a spring day. A b17 flew right over at low altitude, and I felt like I was in Memphis belle
My dad was a B-17 copilot during the war. His crew flew flew only 4 missions bombing u-penns in Hamburg. They were hit by flak and had to bail. He survived (obviously, since I'm here) and spent the rest of the war at Stalag 13 in Poland. Thanks for posting this I always wondered what a flight was like in these beauties.
Those guys that flew those planes in WWII were some really brave men. I read somewhere once that there were more airmen that died in the air flying these planes than there were marines that died on the ground
My dad was in the 2d Bombardment Group, 429th Squadron in WW2. He worked on the B17s and did the maintenance when they came back from bombing. I'm probably the youngest daughter on earth of a WW2 veteran because he had me when he was 64. It is surreal because everyone who's parents were in WW2 are like a generation or 2 older than me. I never got to talk to him though because he died when I was 2 years old. One connection I have to him is through these planes.
My dad was a tail gunner stationed out of England. He never talked about until dementia kicked in right before he passed. I was in utter amazement at what I heard! To ride in one of these great birds is on the top of my bucket list!!!
I am one of the few left who actually saw them take of from the air bases in England during the second world war [ I was a boy of 9] We kids used to watch them go on the daylight raids over Germany- and we watched them come back. Some trailing smoke and the damge to the planes was obvious. We met the airmen around the town - They were our heros. This brings back all the memories.
Thank you for sharing that! My Dad never spoke of those times, which is why he shocked me when he opened up that Father’s Day and started filling in those blanks that I thought were gone forever! I grew up totally enamored with WWII and still am today at 67. I find war, in total, to show mankind in it's complete nakedness, with all and everything exposed. Historically, we humans are barbarous creatures when left to our sinful natures...
I love that old war-bird, it was one of the ones I learned to identify as a child! We used to see them fly over all the time when we lived in LA, Calif. My Dad would look up and say "that's a P-38" or a Corvair, or a B-17. They were so identifiable! You could tell the significant difference between those lovely birds in the sky, that were so important in WWII. I remember very little about that time, only that Daddy had to pull over and stop the car and shut off the lights when there was an air-raid. I've never forgotten that, a life-time ago.....
I saw a b17 in salem Oregon one time ..it had it's own sound and it was a beautiful bird. I new 2 men who flew these and the b24 it was a scary frightening thing. You never new if you were ever coming back from that bombing mission. God bless these men.
My late father was a B-17 pilot in WWII Europe. I remember we were at a Sacramento base and there was a rotting B-17. He silently stared at it for a few minutes and I let him take all the time he needed. I could tell he was right back at the most meaningful time in his life. As a Vietnam Veteran, I would stop and stare when I heard a UH-1D. An unmistakable sound of the rotor. The B-17 is a gorgeous plane. I hope to ride in one before I die.
My dad flew B-17G's out of Deenethorpe England with the 615th Bomb Squadron, 401st Bomb Group. He loved the B-17, it was rugged and got him home for 30 missions, including the first daylight raid over Berlin. He said it was easy to fly in formation. He never got used to the top turret gunner firing those twin 50's over his head. He saw mostly ME109's, they would mostly attack from the front and dive under the formation, so the top turret gunner would track them and keep lowering the muzzles until the microswitches cut them off. At max depression the muzzles were less than 18" from his head with only .032" of aluminum between him and the muzzles. He said it would rattle his brain inside his skull. Watching this video helped me see some of what he saw, thank you for the excellent job.
I grew up just round the corner from the airfield. Remember the US vets coming over in the '80s and '90s. I talked to a number of them. The locals (the ones alive at the time they flew) also talked about that period. So much respect for these guys. I have relatives who flew from Lincolnshire in Lancasters with the RAF.
Dad was stationed a second time in England, at RAF Hemswell, I think in Lincolnshire, from 1959 to 1963. He worked with the Thor intermediate range ballistic missile at that time. I was less than two years old when we arrived and about six when we left. I remember going to "baby school" they called it, at Saint Claire's Catholic school. The short cut our bus driver sometimes took driving home was across an old B-24 airfield. One evening he got lost in the fog and drove around for hours.
Ben Mallon fascinating. One of the locals I started chatting to was a farmer who worked on the surrounding fields. He recalled watching the heavies return with big holes in them, smoking engines etc. He said something like... "Those poor lads were getting the hell knocked out of them. Yet another sortie and off they'd go. So brave I cannot imagine." He mentioned that the ground crew could be seen hosing out the aircraft. That the water was bright red with blood etc. And another memory of hearing two aircraft collide overhead. Watching the bits fall down around him. He looked ill reminiscing this. He shuddered and changed the subject. This must have been 1995 ish. I was playing cricket at the time. A B17 had flown over the pitch that got him talking.
My dad was a Top Turret Gunner in the 401st in Deenethorpe. He was in the 612th Bomb Squadron. He flew from June 10 1944 until he was shot down on his 32nd mission on Sept. 9, 1944. He was a POW. He had some pretty harrowing stories of his missions. Those were brave young men!
My Dad was a Radio Operator/Gunner in a B-17 in Europe during WWII. He passed away in 2012 and in his memory, I took a ride in the Collings Foundation "909" B-17. It was the best flight of my life. Thank you for keeping the memories of the "Greatest Generation" alive with your work!
Thank you for your post. My dad flew the B-17 during the war, got shot up and still this bird brought him and his crew home. He did the Schweinfurt run among many other harrowing missions. There are many times I count myself lucky to be here do to him surviving the war. He lost many friends, and told many stories. I was lucky enough to meet the doctor who pulled the shrapnel from him, others who had been shot down and survived the war as POW's. I asked him once when I was young, the same age as he was when doing the missions, how did you do it? I can't imagine myself or anyone my age flying a 4 engine bomber, no air support, etc. His answer was simple. It is what we had to do and we did it.
I lived next door to Falcon Field in Mesa AZ in 1985. I used to ride my bike around there and watch the B-17 that was hangered there, with the Confederate Airforce. I met the old pilot who flew it and in WW2 also. I was set to go up for a ride with him. And on a practice run, one front landing gear failed to lock, and he had to belly land. I never got a ride because it was fown for a long time bring rebuilt. The plane was named "Sentimental Journey." I was about 29 years old and im 65 today. I always enjoyed watching that beautiful plane lumber off the runway. It sounded beautiful!
My grandfather flew B-17's out of Horham, England. 412th squadron, 95th BG. 36 missions and he somehow made it home after plenty of close calls. Had the opportunity to attend a 95th BG reunion in Cleveland, OH a couple of years ago and it was amazing to see all the WWII vets talking about their service and getting to spend time with each other.
I'm 86 years old and remember well WW2 from where I was on December 7th, 1941 til the end in 1945. Living in Los Angeles I saw many of the old bombers and fighters of that era flying overhead. The B-17's never ceased to amaze me and still do when I can get to see one. I think my favorite though has to be the B-25 Mitchell. A high school friend of my late father was a pilot on one of the Doolittle flight over Tokyo.
You are very lucky to have lived during that era of military war-planes..They were & are simply magnificent marvels of flight !! Thanks to you, sir, and your father ...
Dad was a pilot I've crawled through dozens of these things at air shows as a child. This took me back and was an entirely new experience all at once. Thanks for the great video Nick.
My uncle flew out of England, he said that the B-17 was easy to fly and dependable. He never really talked about the war. When he passed away my mom showed me his medals that he has put away, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star for flying a mission when the pilot was killed on the first pass of the enemy fighters, Bronze Star, 4 Purple Hearts. After the war, he flew for Eastern and American but quit because he said it was like driving a bus.
Thanks for sharing. Too many of these stories are lost to eternity. It doesn't have to be a long and dramatic story. The more I study this period the more I recognize that the story is one of a million stories. No one can understand it all.
Cousin Mike Mahoney was a Bombadier pilot...shot down over the North Sea...parachuted and was put in a Stalag....When he returned to the States he became an actor and appeared in quite a few movies..Martin and Lewis for one...and I can't remember the others.
your uncle is not someone I would have liked. Carrying people to their destinations was boring but dropping bombs on people while in their homes was exciting
My dad was a waist gunner on his B-17. On their 10th mission over France, his plane was shot down and he and his crew were captured after about an hour. A German officer was about to have them executed, but a more senior officer overruled him and they were taken prisoner. They ended up in Stalag XXVIIB for 17 months. He passed away in 1997 before the groups such as these began restoring these beauties and flying them around the country. I had the awesome privilege to get to tour one on the ground (actually taking a flight was a bit rich for my blood; about $375 for a half-hour flight) and I got goosebumps just standing where he had stood many years earlier.
I live in Memphis, TN. The replica B-17 "Memphis Belle" flies out of the nearby Olive Branch, MS airport. The "Belle" was flying around Memphis one summer day a couple of years ago and I actually heard it and saw it from my back yard a few times. A few days later the local news had a story about a local WW2 vet who was also at home and told his wife he swore he heard what sounded like a B-17 flying overhead. She told him he had to be mistaken. Apparently he was insistent since he had flown nearly 30 missions as a flight engineer/top turret gunner on a Fortress with the 8th Air Force. He went outside and saw it flying near his home. His children contacted the airport the next day and arranged an honor flight for him since he hadn't flown in one since the war. A news crew was there to interview him after his flight for the evening news. He was speechless and very emotional. He did manage to say this flight was quite peaceful compared to the last time in 1945, since there were no flak or German fighters intent on shooting him out of the sky.
I live near Bassingbourn, England where the Memphis Belle flew her missions from. About 15 yrs ago I was working for a guy who was a young child of ten to 15 yrs old at the time of WW2 and the stories he had of B17's was amazing. The job should have taken no more than an hour but I was at his house all afternoon. He said that he could, even now, tell the sound of the B17. All the kids from the village would watch them all take off so loaded down with bombs, fuel etc that they would just clear the church steeple. They would count the number out and then count them back. Most of them on the return would be shot up with sometimes only 1 engine working. Brave, brave guys.
After flying 30 missions that's a sound you never forget I'll bet he enjoyed himself to no end makes me wonder what his thoughts were memories of times and places gone by don't know the title of the song some of the words go like this Bless em all the young the short and the tall we will never see their like again they are truly the greastest generation stay the course Bruce
Flew in this aircraft last year. My wife said I had the happiest smile she has seen in years. Will try to get a ride in the B29 this May when it visits Tennessee
My dad was a radio operator on a B-17G. He flew 24 missions before being forced down in Sweden. He related a story to me about one of the missions when he shot off the radio antenna while firing at an FW-190. The antenna was strung from a mast just aft of his hatch to the top of the verticle stabilizer. While the top turret had an automatic shutoff so you could not shoot the tail, the radio operator's .50 cal did not. You just placed it in a swivel and fired.
I had the honor and privilege of knowing an old B-17 waist gunner when I was a kid during the 80's at my Dad's American Legion post. Bud Johnson was his name and he told me about how his plane got hit really bad and the pilots to the crew to bail out. He remembered taking his gloves off at free fall and this one glove just floated right there in front of his face until he pulled the cord on his parachute. He looked down and didn't see a soul around on the ground thinking he might have a chance at escaping. Nope. As soon as he hit the ground he said the Germans came out all around him. He spent nearly 2 years in a POW camp and later found out the pilots of his plane were able to limp the plane back to base after they'd had the crew bail out. He said when the pilots told you to bail out you did it without question.
Back in the '90s, the B-17 "Sentimental Journey" visited Macon, GA, where I was working at the time. Took the tour, bought the T-Shirt and had one Helluva time. She was scheduled to leave for Savannah the next day. Back at work the next day, I was in one of those interminable committee meetings when I heard that familiar drone. I said out loud, "THAT's A B-17! " and bolted out the door. She was just coming over the plant when I came out and waved my cap in a gesture of appreciation. Mother of God - the pilot saw me and waggled his wings. I damned near wet myself. I came back to the meeting, sat down,, got some funny looks, and imagined myself on board her while the corporate suit rambled on. I was told no one could figure out why I was smiling through the whole boring presentation.
She comes out here to the west coast once a year and always does a layover for a week at our local airport. Been through her so many times it's like I have the memories of these old war veterans of the inside of a B-17. In peace time of course.
I can relate to that unmistakable sound. A month of so ago at work in Fultondale, Al., I heard that wonderful sound and shouted the same, "THAT'S A B17" and ran outside with some co-workers. It had just taken off from Birmingham and for some reason was continuing on it's way with the gear down. It was at about 2000 feet when it went over, we all loved the sight and sound.
I got to fly in a B 17 a few years ago - sat in the nose on take off --- was absolutely amazing. It was in Galveston Texas with the Confederate Air Force. Also got to fly on the B 24. My dad was on B 24 during the war, so it was really something to get a little taste of what he did.
@@MGT-sv9qc The Commemorative Air Force was named The Confederate Air Force long before the "politically correct" crowd pressured the next generation of board members to re-name the organization.
That flight makes me think about my favorite movie, 'The Best Years of Our Lives,' when the B-17 bomber flies over 'Boone City' and former sailor 'Homer Parrish' looks down from the bombardier's position to see the town...and the sunset is amazing in that film even in glorious black and white. Thanks for taking us on that amazing flight. It was great seeing the various camera views. And what a great plane; thank goodness for it being saved and available for people to appreciate! Keith
Such a beautiful aircraft. My Dad and I flew in a B-24, but haven't flew in a B-17 yet. Hopefully someday, we will. During World War II, my grandfather was a B-17 pilot and my grandmother was his nurse. To those who served in World War II *(including my grandparents),* thank you all for your service and God bless you.
My wife gave me the opportunity to fly in a B-17 and it’s the best experience in an airplane in my 76 years. I applaud and appreciate the brave young men whose valor kept Us free and helped defeat tyranny. It was truly the greatest generation.
Dennis Carney I agree. Much respect for The Collings Foundation and the Wings of Freedom tour. I had a flight on 909 this past July. Hard to believe it’s gone now.
To watch these airmen fly this B17 now makes it even more amazing that in 1942-45 American airmen, most of them in their early 20s, few of whom even owned a car, flew these planes at 25,000 feet (close to the altitude that commercial airliners fly at today), on oxygen, at average temperatures of 25 below zero while fending off attacks from German fighters and passing through flak fields. That was 70 years ago - only 40 years since the first flight. Absolutely incredible cutting edge technology for that time. These pilots are much more seasoned, they have additional equipment and are flying well below 10,000 feet at warmer temperatures and without the need for oxygen. It really was an astounding accomplishment that the USAAF was able to mount 1000s of B17 sorties during the war on a "routine" basis.
May father told me that they often flew well below the altitude they were "officially" instructed to in order to achieve being bombing accuracy. The flight crew brought metal plates to sit on to help protect from the flak. Talk about going above and beyond...
Every time I see one of these I am amazed all over again that they were flown on missions by guys that would seem like little kids to us today. They were either extremely brave or extremely dumb, and I don't see a dumb guy being able to operate one of these complex wonders. This is an awesome video, but it can't describe the tension these men felt being up for hours before you entered into a flack attack, a run of fighters, horrible weather changes or the knowledge that you were about to kill many many people without ever laying eyes on them. The stress of any one of these flight positions must have been crippling. Hats off to every one of them.
@@davidvance6367 Sad, but I know it's true. It happened to the Dad of one of my classmates when I was a schoolboy. He just stopped at the top of a very high bridge one day while coming home from work and jumped. His Mom said that the guilt of his service time always bothered him.
My dad was a navigator on a B-17 in Great Britain during WWII. He died young so I never a chance to talk to him about his experiences . It sure is an impressive aircraft. RIP dad.
Wow !... I flew on this wonderful B-17 out of Ashtabula OH 7/12/03 (R. Bodycombe was the pilot) and had forgotten my camera but got a really cool certificate! Now I have a great memory visual forever. So cool to recall this event. Thanks so much for the upload
such awe inspiring birds of our past. May they continue flying in peace time for ever in memory of the brave aircrew who faught and sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of freedom so their bravery can always be remembered and celebrated.
He advises the pilot not to pivot on the main wheel when turning, but to let them roll. The reason is, the great weight can cause the tire to get pulled off the wheel. If you notice, he turns the plane by adjusting the RPMs of the two engines; to go left, he increases the rpms on the right inboard engine, to go right, he increases the rpms on the left engine. Same procedure as is done on a ship with at least two screws.
@@sterlingarcher1775 Damn thats gotta be creepy to know you have been on that exact plane WoW I'm staying my ass on the ground they look great flying watching from the ground 🤔🙄😁🤣😂 God Bless the crew Were some of the crew WWII Vets anybody know ??? That would be sad to hear ya!
Thank you for taking us with you; quite a privilege: to see one flown from the inside. I toured the Collings Foundation B17-G '909' about 2008 in Manch. NH. I'd been thrilled the evening before as I neared home from work: a B-17 flew toward me above tree tops over my road. Unmistakable shape. It turned, flying low and slow over the cornfield in front of my house. On the tour next day I videoed and experienced, e/g,: There's a lot less room inside (esp the catwalk through the bombay), and more twists and turns to different levels. I was grateful too that the particular B-17 Collings rebadged as '909' served dropping food to starving Dutch at the end of the war. Half my ancestors were Dutch. And my American parents taught in the Netherlands in the 50's before I was born. A family friend survived a German slave labor camp by posing as a doctor/ aided by a new buddy who was a real medical student.
Thanks for posting this! I have always loved the B17. My uncle was with the 488th bomb squadron 340th bomb group(med) 57th bomb wing 12 AAF in Africa, Corsica, Sicily, and Italy, 42-45. B25D and J models mostly. Bomb loader/armorer. This was the time of his life. He went to many many reunions after the war. RIP Earl A. Laird
God willing I will be posting a video like this in a week as my wonderful daughter bought me a cockpit seat ticket on Madres Madien next Sunday. I am literally getting goose bumps watching this in anticipation of my bucket list flight.
Thank you gentlemen for preserving, keeping these old birds flying. Grandson and I had the opportunity of a tour in Aluminum Overcast in West Lafayette Indiana several years back. We watched from the tarmac as it taxied out for take off. The prop blast nailed us to the building wall. This video is an amazing seat to vacate. Those young pilots and crew members that flew them back in the day, I salute you. If I remember correctly the bomb payload was 2600 pounds maximum. As a boy 60 years ago I don't remember how many B-17 model kits I built and hung from my bedroom ceiling but almost enough to bring the roof down.
I took a ride in this plane "Yankee Lady" in July 2012 and it was the experience of a lifetime. We live just a couple miles from the Yankee Air Museum here in Michigan and during the warmer months we see her take off and circle our home several times a week. My wife has gotten so good at the sound of the planes she can tell the difference between their B17g and B25 from their engine noise. You have to admire the courage that it took for these young men to put themselves in harms way and fight for our freedom. The pilot in this video was the one that took us up back in 2012 and I got to sit in the nose gunners seat flying west of Ann Arbor. It was a special day for me and if you ever get the opportunity to fly in one of these warbirds do it. Again, the experience of a lifetime.
There are a whole bunch of iconic WWII planes like the Lancaster, P-51, B-24, the very underestimated Hurricane and Halifax. On German side the Bf-109, FW-190. Just talking about the European theatre, though.........
Hey you guys, something from the other side of the ocean, my father was one of the thousands of men who where deported to Germany against there will to be put to work in the war production . He was bomd 5 times while working in 3 different factory's near Berlin and finally liberated on april 16 1945, after 2 year and 14 days, by the 69 th Infantry division, 14 days before the end of the European war. He never had any hard feelings against the bombers although he told me he would have liked them more if they had unloaded somewhere else, he finally past away in 2010 a happy man, so thank you for liberating him.
He landed the plane like it was butter on toast! Almost couldn't tell they were back on the ground! I love soft, happy landings. Godspeed rest in peace to the people and crew that perished today (10/02/2019) when a B-17 crashed at Bradley International for the Wings of Freedom Tour.
Absolutely the most bad assed plane to ever grace the skies!! Just the looks of it are awesome and no doubt had Goering trembling in his boots. The work that went into the refurbishment of this unit is outstanding. I've loved these planes since I was a young boy and just want to thank you for this video. I will watch it over and over again.
Yep, my Dad, James Thompson, was a navigator of one B-17, out of Ridgwell, England, summer, 1944. He was a kid from the Ozarks. They flew maximum missions, including D day. Dad, I asked him late in his life, did the people back home see you guys as heroes? His response? Not at all; everybody did these things.
I rode in this BF17 in October 2013, this was one of THE big ticks of my to do list in life! Very grateful to have had this experience as a WWII BF17 enthusiast!
I've also flown in the Collin's Foundation B-17. I took my 8 year old son with me. It was a summer day so they had the dorsal window open. I lifted him out the window and he had a birds-eye view of everything. He'll be entering the AF in a couple of years as an officer.
Loved this video, my dream is to ride in one some day. My father survived being blown out of a B-17 from his waist gunner position after a direct flak hit over northern Italy in December of 1944 that killed 4 of his fellow crewmen.
I have flew in one and I’m telling you it’s perfect beyond any experience it’s worth it all the way!!!!!!!!! But I’m sorry for your loss it’s peaceful without people trying to kill you. Your father is a brave man!
Thanks guys for a super smooth flight- what a blast-even from the viewing screen of my computer. That takes you way back and I salute all who flew and rode along on those missions.
My dad was with B24s in England and one of most cherished keepsakes is his photo album that he brought home. Remember him telling me stories about Pellesti oil raid and how crazy that was. Thanks for this great video.
I had the Great opportunity to do a walkthrough of a B-17 many years back, always loved the warbirds of WW2, guess I was born a little bit late to have had a chance to have been there, any way it was great to see what made them the plane that helped to win the war over the skys of world. Thank You for this wonderful video gentlemen.
We live near DWH airport in N.W. Houston. We definitely hear the B-17 coming when it's flying. Amazing aircraft. Bless the guys who work hard to keep her flying.
@@trapkidty1239If yo drive past David Wayne Hooks airport on Stuebner Airline Rd. at FM 2920 there is a hangar right out near the road on Stuebner Airline side with a huge picture of the B-17 and number you can call to schedule a ride. But be warned, it is pricey for a 30 minute flight. I believe they have to have a full compliment of passengers before they will go as well. So bring your friends if they can afford it.
Preston Miller already looked and I’m nearby b17 is legendary and I’d be honored to fly any ww2 aircraft they deserve to be alive and taken care of shows the world our history and what events it’s been through
@@trapkidty1239We had a friend in San Diego who was a real Rosie the Riveter working on the B-17's at Boeing in Seattle during the second world war. She was a very small lady and they would put her inside the wing assembly to buck rivets. Needless to say they only had cotton for their hearing protection back then and she is pretty deaf today. She still has some of her tools she used to build the B-17's. It's an honor and a privilege to know someone from the greatest generation who sacrificed so much to fight evil and preserve freedom for so many.
Great video. I had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a B-17 at a museum in Oregon. It gave me an entirely new found appreciation for how difficult it was to be in a plane like this with all the gear like parachutes and high altitude flight gear. And in the video, there is a quick shot of someone standing on a gangway that is about 12" wide. That was the passage back to where the side, tail and turret gunners were. Below that gang way is the bomb bay. People who have been in a B-17 flight all say that they cannot believe how loud it is. That's what accounted for my dad developing tinnitus later in life. These were such brave men, many of whom were in the early to mid 20's (my dad was 25 when he piloted his B-17 and was responsible for a crew of 9 other guys. Simply amazing/
I had an uncle who was a tail gunner - yep, he was small , that's where the small guys were assigned - he was about 5' 5" and maybe 130 with rocks in his pocket. I've heard the tail gunner position had the highest casualty rate - my uncle came back alive.
I’m not sure I would have the courage to fly in one of these but I’m so impressed by the smoothness of this flight. While I’m certain a lot of it is due to the talent of the pilot, one has to conclude that this is indeed one of the finest airframes ever produced in this country or any other. That entire fight, including take off and especially landing was smooth as silk. Incredible machine. I’ll never stop paying homage to the WWII vets who literally saved the free world. Without question the venerable Flying Fortress feels like yet another hero. God bless these fearless and heroic men and women who answer the call enthusiastically. Thank God for the genius of the folks who designed this marvelous machine which more often than not returned its crew home against all odds.
Thank you for posting this amazing film, and for not ruining it with banal background music. The four big fat radial engines singing along is all the music required. o7 to the everyone who built these, flew them, fixed them, and still fix and fly them -- they are truly more amazing than the machine itself. I had two uncles who flew in these in WWII. I myself did Air Tattoo at RAF Alconbury, UK in 1990 - as a lowly AGE mechanic. (That's GSE to your civvies) I drove compressors, generators, etc to all sorts of old birds that day... omg I was in heaven. The smell of mostly-burnt avgas and rumpa-rumpa-thmpa will never be replaced by jet fuel and the whiiine of the turbine ;o)
@@robertknowles2699 No. That's why jets won -- twice as fast, almost twice as high, carrying twice the passengers and all the cargo - with less fuel burn. The piston liner's death was nearly instant. That said - they have a life, a character, a personality that jets simply don't have. Radials don't leak oil... they're just marking their territory..
Nice coverage. I've been a YAM member since 2008; polished this aircraft a few times. I took their C-27 to OSH in 2014 and flew in the B-25 during Thunder Over Michigan last year. This year I'll get a ride in the B-17. I've flown in the Collings Foundation "Nine O Nine" and the EAA "Aluminum Overcast".. as well as a lot of other warbirds... but I'm eager for my time in Yankee Lady.
I had the privilege and honor to ride over Ankeny, IA. in the B-17 named Aluminum Overcast a couple years back. I will cherish that ride till I die. I recommend everyone do the same to help understand history and what it took our brave veterans to do everyday. I appreciate all of our brave men and women who serve our country! Thank you very much !!!
My grandfather was a radioman in a b-24 in the pacific… was 3rd in line to fly her……. Watching this video… it’s amazing the coordinatation and bond the pilot and copilot have just to get her off the ground in a peacetime scenario …. Love what ya’s do… thank you for keeping them flyin
Thanks for the ride. Dad was a B-17 pilot, 15th AF, 99th BG "Diamondbacks" Foggia, Italy - sometimes with fighter escort of Tuskegee Airmen as on March 13th, 1945 to Regensburg. There were several MIA and KIA of bomber and fighter airmen that day. Dad made it back.
@Рамис Карама Hello there! Pamnc Kapama, it's a pleasure meeting you! I would like to know if you are a female or male that I am conversing with? I am very sorry that you are poverty stricken over there. I dont make that much money. I make about 50k a year! I am glad that you have a positive attitude. I know that I would love to travel to Russia someday. I heard that the Russian people do not like Americans very much! I hope that is not true due to the fact that I would love to travel there someday! You take care!!! Jason
When I was a child of 4 years, my father took me to an airshow in Chicago. We viewed it from Soldier Field. A B-17 did a fly by with two engines feathered on one side. It was about 1943,
My High School science teacher was a B-17 Captain during WWII. We asked him to tell us about his experiences, but he was a very humble gentleman, the only thing he did say was the flak from the German 88's scared the crap out of him.
It sounds like the guy in the pilots seat, is either flying the B-17 for the first time or doesn't have that much experience in this type, as the guy in the co-pilot seat seems to be giving him a lot of pointers. Great pilot anyhoo his landing was very smooth.
Love it. Thank you, gentleman. Would love to have seat on one. I was a USAF aircraft electrician on the B-52H, KC-135 and the HH-1H and loved every minute of it. I was lucky enough to have a seat on every aircraft I worked on. This is on my #Bucketlist. Beautiful video.
I took a joyride on this very ship today in Reading PA at the big air show. Got to land while sitting in the bombardier seat. Best ride ever, best view ever!
There were uncountable brave men in WW2 Airmen, Infantry,Sailors. My Father was on one of the famous Fletcher class Destroyers 175 built 25 went down these had 1/2 INCH of steel on sides. These boats/ships were in fierce battles as were these B-17s the odds on either were horrible!. RIP to all brave men who helped keep us free!. God bless. America land that I love!🇺🇸
They wouldn't be selling TV ads so well if they did, is all. Also, WW2 and its cohort of machines and men is now a distant and fading memory for many people on Earth. With each passing year, this kind of top notch report will attract a decreasing number of viewers. The passing of time... sigh...
DAMN!!! That is the coolest thing!!!!! I've had a ride in B-17 in Texas 35 years ago with the Confederate Air Force. It was a thrill, but I can't help think of all the young men that flew these grand planes and all who lost their life.
My piloted 29 missions over Nazi Occupied Europe. Made it back from all missions with no wounded, except his tail gunner got and earlobe shot off. He also flew German engineers and scientist out of Neutral Switzerland with the prospect of being shot as a spy, as it was against the Geneva Convention. After he came back stateside, he flew anti-submarine duty and trained pilots. 2 DFC's, 2 Air Medals and 4 Oak Leaf Clusters. Thanks for the video!
OHHHH WOW!!!!! What a beautiful aircraft. I would love to fly in this. What an experience that would be!!! Thank you for sharing this awesome video!!!!
My dad was the bombardier in one of these. Shot down on a raid on ball bearing factories in Hanover. Spent 18 months in Stalag Luft 1. Whenever actual combat footage was in a film, he'd lean forward to see if he could see his squadron's insignia....Triangle K. This plane is Triangle L. I once sneaked into one of these planes in an Air Force museum, Beal AF Base in California. Home of the SR-71. The plywood plug that normally would close off the rear wheel access panel was missing and I went up inside. For as heralded as this plane was in our family....I couldn't believe how small it was inside. I was maybe 6'' and my outstretched arms could touch side to side. Shocking. Thanks for the footage. Nice job.
Love to see the comments about the 401st bomb group. My dad was a tail gunner in that group also stationed also out of Deenethorpe. Lots of good stories, including getting shot up badly on one mission and being escorted back home by P51s. He survived 30 missions, made it back home around VE day. Dad passed in 2010; miss him so very much. I still have his old flight jacket, chunks of flack, and other momentos of the war. Very brave guys back then. We owe a lot to them.
Awesome video thanks for posting! I'm so thankful there are people that keep these machines flying. I was blessed to be able to take a B-17 flight with my grandfather who was shot down over Europe in a B-17. If interested, I have the story and video posted on my UA-cam channel. God bless that generation! The fact that I got to experience that almost brought me to tears.
I'm sorry to say my Dad never shared details of his WW11 experiences. I know he was a door gunner but I don't know what bird or birds he flew in. My nephew was with him at the VA hospital once and saw a stamp on his medical records folder that he had been a POW. He was in the Pacific Theater and told me he had been shot down and after being captured he later escaped. He was the guy that was considered the toughest man in town in his day. He was 40when I was born so most of his better days were behind him as I got old enough to understand these things. Was told stories mostly by older brothers, one of them was we had moved to another small town (south central Texas) he as a welder in the oilfield and pipelines. His reputation followed him and was challenged while at this bar. Before air conditioning the tables would be placed by framed openings that had shudders you opened outward. The story went that not even the guys feet touched the table as he got knocked out that opening. My brother told me this story when I was a teenager when I asked my dad a out it, all he said was that he didn't know about whether not even his feet touched the table or not as he went through that opening but it sure does f--- up your hand when you hit a man like that. Then he turned back to watching TV. The greatest generation, yeah I'll agree with that....
My grandfather was a navigator on 50 missions in B-17s over Europe during World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He died two years ago. I miss him dearly.
My father, who passed away at 95 this past November was a Bombardier on a B-17 in the 20th Bombing Squad in the 2nd Bomb Gp flying out of Foggia Italy (1944). These men were brave heroes, as were all the soldiers in WWII. Thanks for posting. He told many stories about his Air Corp adventures. GREAT to see such a clear image of the B-17 in flight. His was an older model I think, but imagine the experience was similar.
How beautiful, so many years watching movies of this plane and today for the first time I have flown a P-51 ... thank you very much, excellent video and the pilot ... masterful
WWII aircraft never cease to impress me, especially these heavy bombers. The complexity and beauty of these pre-digital-age machines is simply staggering and a testament to the genius of their creators.
The dinosaurs of the air. Always Awesome.
Agreed. Their ultimate purpose was rough but when you consider the time, energy, physical work and knowledge required to get these birds into the air...Just wow. I will be seeing one fly in May and wish I could be riding along as well. Thank you for the post. Very fascinating.
Those guys had to depend on each other not a computer...Real men Real Hero's...Chuck Norris is scared of these guys 😉🍻
Some of the big planes had auto pilot
@@otakufan8957 Wrong. The “auto pilot” you might be referring to was just a switch to throw to give the flight control to the bombardier below the pilot. This allowed the bombardier to control the small flight adjustments to smooth out the bombing run. Once the pilot had the plane on a level flight, aimed toward target, this would be done. Must heavy bombers had this. Someone STILL controlled the plane, “not auto pilot.”
My great uncle flew B-17s and P-38s during the war. He survived the war only to die in a tragic B-17 accident at a Topeka Kansas airfield in 1947. He was only 34. He was attempting to take off when the plane lost power. He held the plane as steady as he could and instructed everyone to bail as best they could manage considering they were only feet above the runway. He held that plane steady as three managed to get out and survive. After that the plane hit the trees at the runways end and unfortunately him and some others were killed. Captain James Montgomery Poole is a hero to me and my family. His name will live on as long as there is a United States. He is buried, among so many others, at Arlington national cemetery. His sacrifice and many like his is the reason we have this wonderful country. I never met my great uncle but I love him.
Scott Poole, nice tribute to your uncle, I share your pain. His accident probably happened at what is now called Forbes. He did save 3 lives that day, best he could with the physics involves.
sadly today October 2nd 2019 the B-17G NINE-O-NINE, lost power and crashed in a big fire ball in Connecticut, 13 on board, many have died, she was delivered to the Army in April 1945.
@@markroseman2149 7 died. The pilot was one of the most experienced B17 fliers in the country.
thanks for sharing your great uncle's story.
@@MarkSmith-js2pu He didn't save 3 lives, based on the possible offspring of those people, he may have very well saved anywhere from a dozen to a few hundred people that day...
This is possibly one of the best contemporary videos of a B-17. It's excellent, and thanks for posting.
+sierra delta Thank you
+sierra delta Yeah. Is absolute amazing. Thanks Nick.
+sierra delta
Thank you! I am just reading the book of Bruce Lewis, Bombercommand. It just illustrates a bit the last chapter of his authobiographic document.
P Dobbins tuhq
P Dobbins nhghgg
This gave me goosebumps. My Father flew 25 missions over Germany in the early part of WWII, before they had fighter escorts that had the range to protect them all the way to their targets.
I'm glad your father made it back.
Phew. And even looking at a computer screen, the bombardier's position with all that plexiglass made me feel really vulnerable! How must it have been for those lads facing fire? That said - a fighter is much more nimble, but a B-17 is a PRICKLY blighter with all those guns, isn't she? Wow. Flying fortress indeed. I'm also glad your Dad made it home.
My grandfather was in the 418th with the Bloody 100th out of RAF Thorpe Abbott. Thank you for keeping the history alive!
Wer fighter escorts Mustang P51's ?
😂@@Branwhin
I'm a trucker one day I was driving in Texas a B-17 flew over the road I was on. It was awesome. I'll never forget that. It was very low also that even made it more enjoyable to watch. My hat goes off to all who flew one with all my respect to the pilot and crews that was in WW2.
I remember in Phoenix during PE we were playing baseball on an open green field on a spring day. A b17 flew right over at low altitude, and I felt like I was in Memphis belle
My dad was a B-17 copilot during the war. His crew flew flew only 4 missions bombing u-penns in Hamburg. They were hit by flak and had to bail. He survived (obviously, since I'm here) and spent the rest of the war at Stalag 13 in Poland. Thanks for posting this I always wondered what a flight was like in these beauties.
I thank him for his service!
Those guys that flew those planes in WWII were some really brave men. I read somewhere once that there were more airmen that died in the air flying these planes than there were marines that died on the ground
My grandfather was a B-17 pilot during the war.
My dad was in the 2d Bombardment Group, 429th Squadron in WW2. He worked on the B17s and did the maintenance when they came back from bombing. I'm probably the youngest daughter on earth of a WW2 veteran because he had me when he was 64. It is surreal because everyone who's parents were in WW2 are like a generation or 2 older than me. I never got to talk to him though because he died when I was 2 years old. One connection I have to him is through these planes.
🌹🌹
My dad was a tail gunner stationed out of England. He never talked about until dementia kicked in right before he passed. I was in utter amazement at what I heard! To ride in one of these great birds is on the top of my bucket list!!!
Kevin Rich your Dad was a real hero! I’ve been in the tail gunner area and there’s no way in hell I’d do it. He’s an amazing man
I am one of the few left who actually saw them take of from the air bases in England during the second world war [ I was a boy of 9] We kids used to watch them go on the daylight raids over Germany- and we watched them come back. Some trailing smoke and the damge to the planes was obvious. We met the airmen around the town - They were our heros. This brings back all the memories.
Thank you for sharing that! My Dad never spoke of those times, which is why he shocked me when he opened up that Father’s Day and started filling in those blanks that I thought were gone forever! I grew up totally enamored with WWII and still am today at 67. I find war, in total, to show mankind in it's complete nakedness, with all and everything exposed. Historically, we humans are barbarous creatures when left to our sinful natures...
I love that old war-bird, it was one of the ones I learned to identify as a child! We used to see them fly over all the time when we lived in LA, Calif. My Dad would look up and say "that's a P-38" or a Corvair, or a B-17. They were so identifiable! You could tell the significant difference between those lovely birds in the sky, that were so important in WWII. I remember very little about that time, only that Daddy had to pull over and stop the car and shut off the lights when there was an air-raid. I've never forgotten that, a life-time ago.....
I saw a b17 in salem Oregon one time ..it had it's own sound and it was a beautiful bird. I new 2 men who flew these and the b24 it was a scary frightening thing. You never new if you were ever coming back from that bombing mission. God bless these men.
My late father was a B-17 pilot in WWII Europe. I remember we were at a Sacramento base and there was a rotting B-17. He silently stared at it for a few minutes and I let him take all the time he needed. I could tell he was right back at the most meaningful time in his life. As a Vietnam Veteran, I would stop and stare when I heard a UH-1D. An unmistakable sound of the rotor. The B-17 is a gorgeous plane. I hope to ride in one before I die.
My dad flew B-17G's out of Deenethorpe England with the 615th Bomb Squadron, 401st Bomb Group. He loved the B-17, it was rugged and got him home for 30 missions, including the first daylight raid over Berlin. He said it was easy to fly in formation. He never got used to the top turret gunner firing those twin 50's over his head. He saw mostly ME109's, they would mostly attack from the front and dive under the formation, so the top turret gunner would track them and keep lowering the muzzles until the microswitches cut them off. At max depression the muzzles were less than 18" from his head with only .032" of aluminum between him and the muzzles. He said it would rattle his brain inside his skull. Watching this video helped me see some of what he saw, thank you for the excellent job.
Ben Mallon thank you to him for his service.
I grew up just round the corner from the airfield. Remember the US vets coming over in the '80s and '90s. I talked to a number of them. The locals (the ones alive at the time they flew) also talked about that period. So much respect for these guys. I have relatives who flew from Lincolnshire in Lancasters with the RAF.
Dad was stationed a second time in England, at RAF Hemswell, I think in Lincolnshire, from 1959 to 1963. He worked with the Thor intermediate range ballistic missile at that time. I was less than two years old when we arrived and about six when we left. I remember going to "baby school" they called it, at Saint Claire's Catholic school. The short cut our bus driver sometimes took driving home was across an old B-24 airfield. One evening he got lost in the fog and drove around for hours.
Ben Mallon fascinating.
One of the locals I started chatting to was a farmer who worked on the surrounding fields.
He recalled watching the heavies return with big holes in them, smoking engines etc. He said something like...
"Those poor lads were getting the hell knocked out of them. Yet another sortie and off they'd go. So brave I cannot imagine."
He mentioned that the ground crew could be seen hosing out the aircraft. That the water was bright red with blood etc.
And another memory of hearing two aircraft collide overhead. Watching the bits fall down around him.
He looked ill reminiscing this. He shuddered and changed the subject. This must have been 1995 ish. I was playing cricket at the time. A B17 had flown over the pitch that got him talking.
My dad was a Top Turret Gunner in the 401st in Deenethorpe. He was in the 612th Bomb Squadron. He flew from June 10 1944 until he was shot down on his 32nd mission on Sept. 9, 1944. He was a POW. He had some pretty harrowing stories of his missions. Those were brave young men!
My Dad was a Radio Operator/Gunner in a B-17 in Europe during WWII. He passed away in 2012 and in his memory, I took a ride in the Collings Foundation "909" B-17. It was the best flight of my life. Thank you for keeping the memories of the "Greatest Generation" alive with your work!
I too plan to fly in the "909", in fall 2019 when they hold the WWII "Battle for the Airfield" event.
My grandfathercwas also a radio operaton on a b-17 over europe.
My grandfather was also im ww2 ..but he was on the ground and he was shuting on your father...sry.... that whow was the situation in those times
@@matogrujo233 what
@@nikolajmic1951 what what???
My grandfather was wermacht soldier...
Thank you for your post. My dad flew the B-17 during the war, got shot up and still this bird brought him and his crew home. He did the Schweinfurt run among many other harrowing missions. There are many times I count myself lucky to be here do to him surviving the war. He lost many friends, and told many stories. I was lucky enough to meet the doctor who pulled the shrapnel from him, others who had been shot down and survived the war as POW's. I asked him once when I was young, the same age as he was when doing the missions, how did you do it? I can't imagine myself or anyone my age flying a 4 engine bomber, no air support, etc. His answer was simple. It is what we had to do and we did it.
I lived next door to Falcon Field in Mesa AZ in 1985. I used to ride my bike around there and watch the B-17 that was hangered there, with the Confederate Airforce. I met the old pilot who flew it and in WW2 also. I was set to go up for a ride with him. And on a practice run, one front landing gear failed to lock, and he had to belly land. I never got a ride because it was fown for a long time bring rebuilt. The plane was named "Sentimental Journey." I was about 29 years old and im 65 today. I always enjoyed watching that beautiful plane lumber off the runway. It sounded beautiful!
My grandfather flew B-17's out of Horham, England. 412th squadron, 95th BG. 36 missions and he somehow made it home after plenty of close calls.
Had the opportunity to attend a 95th BG reunion in Cleveland, OH a couple of years ago and it was amazing to see all the WWII vets talking about their service and getting to spend time with each other.
Horham, not far from me.
I'm 86 years old and remember well WW2 from where I was on December 7th, 1941 til the end in 1945. Living in Los Angeles I saw many of the old bombers and fighters of that era flying overhead. The B-17's never ceased to amaze me and still do when I can get to see one. I think my favorite though has to be the B-25 Mitchell. A high school friend of my late father was a pilot on one of the Doolittle flight over Tokyo.
You are very lucky to have lived during that era of military war-planes..They were & are simply magnificent marvels of flight !! Thanks to you, sir, and your father ...
Sick
It is great you are on here sharing your stories.
Wallace Howard, my fave 2 engine bomber was the A 26 invader. 360 MPH
Dad was a pilot I've crawled through dozens of these things at air shows as a child. This took me back and was an entirely new experience all at once. Thanks for the great video Nick.
My uncle flew out of England, he said that the B-17 was easy to fly and dependable. He never really talked about the war. When he passed away my mom showed me his medals that he has put away, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star for flying a mission when the pilot was killed on the first pass of the enemy fighters, Bronze Star, 4 Purple Hearts. After the war, he flew for Eastern and American but quit because he said it was like driving a bus.
Thanks for sharing. Too many of these stories are lost to eternity. It doesn't have to be a long and dramatic story. The more I study this period the more I recognize that the story is one of a million stories. No one can understand it all.
Cousin Mike Mahoney was a Bombadier pilot...shot down over the North Sea...parachuted and was put in a Stalag....When he returned to the States he became an actor and appeared in quite a few movies..Martin and Lewis for one...and I can't remember the others.
your uncle is not someone I would have liked. Carrying people to their destinations was boring but dropping bombs on people while in their homes was exciting
@@dlbdlb3919 Uncle did not start any war by himself
dlb dlb well they should be in there shitty little bomb shelters then shouldn’t they
My dad was a waist gunner on his B-17. On their 10th mission over France, his plane was shot down and he and his crew were captured after about an hour. A German officer was about to have them executed, but a more senior officer overruled him and they were taken prisoner. They ended up in Stalag XXVIIB for 17 months. He passed away in 1997 before the groups such as these began restoring these beauties and flying them around the country. I had the awesome privilege to get to tour one on the ground (actually taking a flight was a bit rich for my blood; about $375 for a half-hour flight) and I got goosebumps just standing where he had stood many years earlier.
I live in Memphis, TN. The replica B-17 "Memphis Belle" flies out of the nearby Olive Branch, MS airport. The "Belle" was flying around Memphis one summer day a couple of years ago and I actually heard it and saw it from my back yard a few times. A few days later the local news had a story about a local WW2 vet who was also at home and told his wife he swore he heard what sounded like a B-17 flying overhead. She told him he had to be mistaken. Apparently he was insistent since he had flown nearly 30 missions as a flight engineer/top turret gunner on a Fortress with the 8th Air Force. He went outside and saw it flying near his home. His children contacted the airport the next day and arranged an honor flight for him since he hadn't flown in one since the war. A news crew was there to interview him after his flight for the evening news. He was speechless and very emotional. He did manage to say this flight was quite peaceful compared to the last time in 1945, since there were no flak or German fighters intent on shooting him out of the sky.
Awesome story. Just had a B-17 fly overhead here in Monterey. The roar of the engines overhead is unmistakable just like in the movies!
Lucky. I've only seen b-25 flying over head. Yet have I had to see a p-51 mustang or a p-40 fly over head
I live near Bassingbourn, England where the Memphis Belle flew her missions from. About 15 yrs ago I was working for a guy who was a young child of ten to 15 yrs old at the time of WW2 and the stories he had of B17's was amazing. The job should have taken no more than an hour but I was at his house all afternoon. He said that he could, even now, tell the sound of the B17. All the kids from the village would watch them all take off so loaded down with bombs, fuel etc that they would just clear the church steeple. They would count the number out and then count them back. Most of them on the return would be shot up with sometimes only 1 engine working. Brave, brave guys.
After flying 30 missions that's a sound you never forget I'll bet he enjoyed himself to no end makes me wonder what his thoughts were memories of times and places gone by don't know the title of the song some of the words go like this Bless em all the young the short and the tall we will never see their like again they are truly the greastest generation stay the course Bruce
A hero thank you sir!
Flew in this aircraft last year. My wife said I had the happiest smile she has seen in years. Will try to get a ride in the B29 this May when it visits Tennessee
My dad was a radio operator on a B-17G. He flew 24 missions before being forced down in Sweden. He related a story to me about one of the missions when he shot off the radio antenna while firing at an FW-190. The antenna was strung from a mast just aft of his hatch to the top of the verticle stabilizer. While the top turret had an automatic shutoff so you could not shoot the tail, the radio operator's .50 cal did not. You just placed it in a swivel and fired.
Interesting story thanks for sharing
I had the honor and privilege of knowing an old B-17 waist gunner when I was a kid during the 80's at my Dad's American Legion post. Bud Johnson was his name and he told me about how his plane got hit really bad and the pilots to the crew to bail out. He remembered taking his gloves off at free fall and this one glove just floated right there in front of his face until he pulled the cord on his parachute. He looked down and didn't see a soul around on the ground thinking he might have a chance at escaping. Nope. As soon as he hit the ground he said the Germans came out all around him. He spent nearly 2 years in a POW camp and later found out the pilots of his plane were able to limp the plane back to base after they'd had the crew bail out. He said when the pilots told you to bail out you did it without question.
Back in the '90s, the B-17 "Sentimental Journey" visited Macon, GA, where I was working at the time. Took the tour, bought the T-Shirt and had one Helluva time. She was scheduled to leave for Savannah the next day.
Back at work the next day, I was in one of those interminable committee meetings when I heard that familiar drone. I said out loud, "THAT's A B-17! " and bolted out the door. She was just coming over the plant when I came out and waved my cap in a gesture of appreciation. Mother of God - the pilot saw me and waggled his wings. I damned near wet myself.
I came back to the meeting, sat down,, got some funny looks, and imagined myself on board her while the corporate suit rambled on. I was told no one could figure out why I was smiling through the whole boring presentation.
These planes have their own unmistakable sound.
She comes out here to the west coast once a year and always does a layover for a week at our local airport. Been through her so many times it's like I have the memories of these old war veterans of the inside of a B-17. In peace time of course.
@@Miatacrosser my dad was a tailgunner in a B-25..I have the same reaction when I hear those engines!!
I can relate to that unmistakable sound. A month of so ago at work in Fultondale, Al., I heard that wonderful sound and shouted the same, "THAT'S A B17" and ran outside with some co-workers. It had just taken off from Birmingham and for some reason was continuing on it's way with the gear down. It was at about 2000 feet when it went over, we all loved the sight and sound.
When I worked in North Miami I had that happen just from the sound of the Florida Air Cargo DC3's man.... I know what you speak of =o)
I got to fly in a B 17 a few years ago - sat in the nose on take off --- was absolutely amazing. It was in Galveston Texas with the Confederate Air Force. Also got to fly on the B 24. My dad was on B 24 during the war, so it was really something to get a little taste of what he did.
You sure you're not talking about the Commemorative Air Force?
@@MGT-sv9qc The Commemorative Air Force was named The Confederate Air Force long before the "politically correct" crowd pressured the next generation of board members to re-name the organization.
@@MGT-sv9qc It was "Confederate" before the PC name change.
That flight makes me think about my favorite movie, 'The Best Years of Our Lives,' when the B-17 bomber flies
over 'Boone City' and former sailor 'Homer Parrish' looks down from the bombardier's position to see the town...and the sunset is amazing in that film even in glorious black and white.
Thanks for taking us on that amazing flight. It was great seeing the various camera views. And what a great plane; thank goodness for it being saved and available for people to appreciate! Keith
Such a beautiful aircraft. My Dad and I flew in a B-24, but haven't flew in a B-17 yet. Hopefully someday, we will. During World War II, my grandfather was a B-17 pilot and my grandmother was his nurse. To those who served in World War II *(including my grandparents),* thank you all for your service and God bless you.
My wife gave me the opportunity to fly in a B-17 and it’s the best experience in an airplane in my 76 years. I applaud and appreciate the brave young men whose valor kept Us free and helped defeat tyranny. It was truly the greatest generation.
The crash of one of these planes in Connecticut on October 2, 2019 brings me here. RIP to those who lost their lives.
Me too, terrible news!
It's stupid to fly these old planes. When they crash they are gone forever.
@@michaelwhisman7623 Not so they need to fly!!!
Dennis Carney I agree. Much respect for The Collings Foundation and the Wings of Freedom tour. I had a flight on 909 this past July. Hard to believe it’s gone now.
RIP fair skies and tailwinds to those that are gone
To watch these airmen fly this B17 now makes it even more amazing that in 1942-45 American airmen, most of them in their early 20s, few of whom even owned a car, flew these planes at 25,000 feet (close to the altitude that commercial airliners fly at today), on oxygen, at average temperatures of 25 below zero while fending off attacks from German fighters and passing through flak fields. That was 70 years ago - only 40 years since the first flight. Absolutely incredible cutting edge technology for that time. These pilots are much more seasoned, they have additional equipment and are flying well below 10,000 feet at warmer temperatures and without the need for oxygen. It really was an astounding accomplishment that the USAAF was able to mount 1000s of B17 sorties during the war on a "routine" basis.
May father told me that they often flew well below the altitude they were "officially" instructed to in order to achieve being bombing accuracy. The flight crew brought metal plates to sit on to help protect from the flak. Talk about going above and beyond...
Amazing crew! To all those who say elders could not perform, take this ! Well done fellas, like in the good old days.
Every time I see one of these I am amazed all over again that they were flown on missions by guys that would seem like little kids to us today. They were either extremely brave or extremely dumb, and I don't see a dumb guy being able to operate one of these complex wonders.
This is an awesome video, but it can't describe the tension these men felt being up for hours before you entered into a flack attack, a run of fighters, horrible weather changes or the knowledge that you were about to kill many many people without ever laying eyes on them. The stress of any one of these flight positions must have been crippling. Hats off to every one of them.
Kevin Aylward, some airmen committed suicide after the war.
THey weren’t dumb. There was no choice. There was a real existential threat going on, not the fake, powderpuff versions advertised today.
@@davidvance6367 Sad, but I know it's true. It happened to the Dad of one of my classmates when I was a schoolboy.
He just stopped at the top of a very high bridge one day while coming home from work and jumped. His Mom said that the guilt of his service time always bothered him.
My dad was a navigator on a B-17 in Great Britain during WWII. He died young so I never a chance to talk to him about his experiences . It sure is an impressive aircraft. RIP dad.
Wow !... I flew on this wonderful B-17 out of Ashtabula OH 7/12/03 (R. Bodycombe was the pilot) and had forgotten my camera but got a really cool certificate! Now I have a great memory visual forever. So cool to recall this event. Thanks so much for the upload
such awe inspiring birds of our past. May they continue flying in peace time for ever in memory of the brave aircrew who faught and sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of freedom so their bravery can always be remembered and celebrated.
He advises the pilot not to pivot on the main wheel when turning, but to let them roll. The reason is, the great weight can cause the tire to get pulled off the wheel. If you notice, he turns the plane by adjusting the RPMs of the two engines; to go left, he increases the rpms on the right inboard engine, to go right, he increases the rpms on the left engine. Same procedure as is done on a ship with at least two screws.
My Grandfather Flew these in WWII! Guy I Blanton. God Rest his soul!
Mine too (306 bombardment 423rd squadron). God bless them both, and all the others who sacrificed to keep us free.
RIP to the one that crashed on Oct. 2, 2019, the Nine-O-Nine. gorgeous plane and RIP to those who perished! :'(
my god, i had no idea,i had honor of being able to fly on that plane many years ago.
Sad loss of great people. Saw the plane on tour in Omaha several times, Dad was a ball turret gunner.
@@sterlingarcher1775 Damn thats gotta be creepy to know you have been on that exact plane WoW I'm staying my ass on the ground they look great flying watching from the ground 🤔🙄😁🤣😂 God Bless the crew Were some of the crew WWII Vets anybody know ??? That would be sad to hear ya!
I flew on that nine o nine when they came to Scottsdale AZ a couple years ago. Disbelief and shock when it crashed.
That plane was a sexy one until the crash
Thank you for taking us with you; quite a privilege: to see one flown from the inside. I toured the Collings Foundation B17-G '909' about 2008 in Manch. NH. I'd been thrilled the evening before as I neared home from work: a B-17 flew toward me above tree tops over my road. Unmistakable shape. It turned, flying low and slow over the cornfield in front of my house. On the tour next day I videoed and experienced, e/g,: There's a lot less room inside (esp the catwalk through the bombay), and more twists and turns to different levels. I was grateful too that the particular B-17 Collings rebadged as '909' served dropping food to starving Dutch at the end of the war. Half my ancestors were Dutch. And my American parents taught in the Netherlands in the 50's before I was born. A family friend survived a German slave labor camp by posing as a doctor/ aided by a new buddy who was a real medical student.
Thanks for posting this! I have always loved the B17. My uncle was with the 488th bomb squadron 340th bomb group(med) 57th bomb wing 12 AAF in Africa, Corsica, Sicily, and Italy, 42-45. B25D and J models mostly. Bomb loader/armorer. This was the time of his life. He went to many many reunions after the war. RIP Earl A. Laird
elituko Was
@@1749jdp Exactly what do you mean "Was" ???
Beautifully restored piece of history. Well done!
God willing I will be posting a video like this in a week as my wonderful daughter bought me a cockpit seat ticket on Madres Madien next Sunday. I am literally getting goose bumps watching this in anticipation of my bucket list flight.
Thank you gentlemen for preserving, keeping these old birds flying. Grandson and I had the opportunity of a tour in Aluminum Overcast in West Lafayette Indiana several years back. We watched from the tarmac as it taxied out for take off. The prop blast nailed us to the building wall. This video is an amazing seat to vacate. Those young pilots and crew members that flew them back in the day, I salute you. If I remember correctly the bomb payload was 2600 pounds maximum. As a boy 60 years ago I don't remember how many B-17 model kits I built and hung from my bedroom ceiling but almost enough to bring the roof down.
I took a ride in this plane "Yankee Lady" in July 2012 and it was the experience of a lifetime. We live just a couple miles from the Yankee Air Museum here in Michigan and during the warmer months we see her take off and circle our home several times a week. My wife has gotten so good at the sound of the planes she can tell the difference between their B17g and B25 from their engine noise. You have to admire the courage that it took for these young men to put themselves in harms way and fight for our freedom. The pilot in this video was the one that took us up back in 2012 and I got to sit in the nose gunners seat flying west of Ann Arbor. It was a special day for me and if you ever get the opportunity to fly in one of these warbirds do it. Again, the experience of a lifetime.
B-17s are one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
Alex Coffey Totally agree. Right up there with the SR-71 and the B-29👍👍
And always will be
It is truly a nice looking plane but sorry to say I still prefer the British Lancaster........
There are a whole bunch of iconic WWII planes like the Lancaster, P-51, B-24, the very underestimated Hurricane and Halifax. On German side the Bf-109, FW-190. Just talking about the European theatre, though.........
My two favorites are the B-17 and the P-51
Got to fly on that exact aircraft a few weeks ago. They’re great guys, well forever love the B-17 and that one specifically
Hey you guys, something from the other side of the ocean, my father was one of the thousands of men who where deported to Germany against there will to be put to work in the war production . He was bomd 5 times while working in 3 different factory's near Berlin and finally liberated on april 16 1945, after 2 year and 14 days, by the 69 th Infantry division, 14 days before the end of the European war. He never had any hard feelings against the bombers although he told me he would have liked them more if they had unloaded somewhere else, he finally past away in 2010 a happy man, so thank you for liberating him.
You saved us 🇺🇸. Much respect, love from England 🇬🇧
Few aircrafts sound as good as this old war bird. Thank you for this podcast. Let history remain.
Thanks for preserving part
of our REAL history. Thank God for our Greatest Generation.
CK Baxter
He landed the plane like it was butter on toast! Almost couldn't tell they were back on the ground! I love soft, happy landings.
Godspeed rest in peace to the people and crew that perished today (10/02/2019) when a B-17 crashed at Bradley International for the Wings of Freedom Tour.
Wete the engines lacking maintenance ?
Absolutely the most bad assed plane to ever grace the skies!! Just the looks of it are awesome and no doubt had Goering trembling in his boots. The work that went into the refurbishment of this unit is outstanding. I've loved these planes since I was a young boy and just want to thank you for this video. I will watch it over and over again.
Yep, my Dad, James Thompson, was a navigator of one B-17, out of Ridgwell, England, summer, 1944. He was a kid from the Ozarks. They flew maximum missions, including D day. Dad, I asked him late in his life, did the people back home see you guys as heroes? His response? Not at all; everybody did these things.
I rode in this BF17 in October 2013, this was one of THE big ticks of my to do list in life! Very grateful to have had this experience as a WWII BF17 enthusiast!
I've also flown in the Collin's Foundation B-17. I took my 8 year old son with me. It was a summer day so they had the dorsal window open. I lifted him out the window and he had a birds-eye view of everything. He'll be entering the AF in a couple of years as an officer.
Loved this video, my dream is to ride in one some day. My father survived being blown out of a B-17 from his waist gunner position after a direct flak hit over northern Italy in December of 1944 that killed 4 of his fellow crewmen.
I have flew in one and I’m telling you it’s perfect beyond any experience it’s worth it all the way!!!!!!!!! But I’m sorry for your loss it’s peaceful without people trying to kill you. Your father is a brave man!
@@digitalplasticscanada5343 Don't be sorry, he said his father survived
@@ikigai47 Signing up to fly on Aluminum Overcast later this month in Philadelphia
James Lyon. My God how did he survive? What’s his story? Your dad is a hero.
The Chaplin
Thanks guys for a super smooth flight- what a blast-even from the viewing screen of my computer. That takes you way back and I salute all who flew and rode along on those missions.
That would be awesome ! I've been inside the B-17 and was surprised how close-quartered it was...they look so much larger in movies.
Yes
My dad was with B24s in England and one of most cherished keepsakes is his photo album that he brought home. Remember him telling me stories about Pellesti oil raid and how crazy that was. Thanks for this great video.
I had the Great opportunity to do a walkthrough of a B-17 many years back, always loved the warbirds of WW2, guess I was born a little bit late to have had a chance to have been there, any way it was great to see what made them the plane that helped to win the war over the skys of world. Thank You for this wonderful video gentlemen.
Many years before my time but I still get misty eyed with I see theses beautiful ladies fly
'ladies'??
We live near DWH airport in N.W. Houston. We definitely hear the B-17 coming when it's flying. Amazing aircraft. Bless the guys who work hard to keep her flying.
Preston Miller hold up there’s a b-17 in Houston I gotta go see it cause I’m 17 and I always dreamed of flying a b-17 in my lifetime
@@trapkidty1239If yo drive past David Wayne Hooks airport on Stuebner Airline Rd. at FM 2920 there is a hangar right out near the road on Stuebner Airline side with a huge picture of the B-17 and number you can call to schedule a ride. But be warned, it is pricey for a 30 minute flight. I believe they have to have a full compliment of passengers before they will go as well. So bring your friends if they can afford it.
Preston Miller already looked and I’m nearby b17 is legendary and I’d be honored to fly any ww2 aircraft they deserve to be alive and taken care of shows the world our history and what events it’s been through
@@trapkidty1239We had a friend in San Diego who was a real Rosie the Riveter working on the B-17's at Boeing in Seattle during the second world war. She was a very small lady and they would put her inside the wing assembly to buck rivets. Needless to say they only had cotton for their hearing protection back then and she is pretty deaf today. She still has some of her tools she used to build the B-17's. It's an honor and a privilege to know someone from the greatest generation who sacrificed so much to fight evil and preserve freedom for so many.
Jaw-dropping! Just beautiful! I felt like I was one of the crew. Outstanding pilots.
Maybe in your past life u were
Great video. I had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a B-17 at a museum in Oregon. It gave me an entirely new found appreciation for how difficult it was to be in a plane like this with all the gear like parachutes and high altitude flight gear. And in the video, there is a quick shot of someone standing on a gangway that is about 12" wide. That was the passage back to where the side, tail and turret gunners were. Below that gang way is the bomb bay. People who have been in a B-17 flight all say that they cannot believe how loud it is. That's what accounted for my dad developing tinnitus later in life. These were such brave men, many of whom were in the early to mid 20's (my dad was 25 when he piloted his B-17 and was responsible for a crew of 9 other guys. Simply amazing/
I had an uncle who was a tail gunner - yep, he was small , that's where the small guys were assigned - he was about 5' 5" and maybe 130 with rocks in his pocket.
I've heard the tail gunner position had the highest casualty rate - my uncle came back alive.
I’m not sure I would have the courage to fly in one of these but I’m so impressed by the smoothness of this flight. While I’m certain a lot of it is due to the talent of the pilot, one has to conclude that this is indeed one of the finest airframes ever produced in this country or any other. That entire fight, including take off and especially landing was smooth as silk. Incredible machine. I’ll never stop paying homage to the WWII vets who literally saved the free world. Without question the venerable Flying Fortress feels like yet another hero. God bless these fearless and heroic men and women who answer the call enthusiastically. Thank God for the genius of the folks who designed this marvelous machine which more often than not returned its crew home against all odds.
Having the voice as well as multiple camera angles was like really being on board. Great video!
Thank you for posting this amazing film, and for not ruining it with banal background music. The four big fat radial engines singing along is all the music required. o7 to the everyone who built these, flew them, fixed them, and still fix and fly them -- they are truly more amazing than the machine itself. I had two uncles who flew in these in WWII. I myself did Air Tattoo at RAF Alconbury, UK in 1990 - as a lowly AGE mechanic. (That's GSE to your civvies) I drove compressors, generators, etc to all sorts of old birds that day... omg I was in heaven. The smell of mostly-burnt avgas and rumpa-rumpa-thmpa will never be replaced by jet fuel and the whiiine of the turbine ;o)
Are radial internal combustion engines
slightly more efficient than turbine jet ?
@@robertknowles2699 No. That's why jets won -- twice as fast, almost twice as high, carrying twice the passengers and all the cargo - with less fuel burn. The piston liner's death was nearly instant. That said - they have a life, a character, a personality that jets simply don't have. Radials don't leak oil... they're just marking their territory..
Nice coverage. I've been a YAM member since 2008; polished this aircraft a few times. I took their C-27 to OSH in 2014 and flew in the B-25 during Thunder Over Michigan last year. This year I'll get a ride in the B-17. I've flown in the Collings Foundation "Nine O Nine" and the EAA "Aluminum Overcast".. as well as a lot of other warbirds... but I'm eager for my time in Yankee Lady.
Sadly the 909 is no longer with us. Did get to fly in her once.
I had the privilege and honor to ride over Ankeny, IA. in the B-17 named Aluminum Overcast a couple years back. I will cherish that ride till I die. I recommend everyone do the same to help understand history and what it took our brave veterans to do everyday. I appreciate all of our brave men and women who serve our country! Thank you very much !!!
My grandfather was a radioman in a b-24 in the pacific… was 3rd in line to fly her……. Watching this video… it’s amazing the coordinatation and bond the pilot and copilot have just to get her off the ground in a peacetime scenario …. Love what ya’s do… thank you for keeping them flyin
Thanks for the ride. Dad was a B-17 pilot, 15th AF, 99th BG "Diamondbacks" Foggia, Italy - sometimes with fighter escort of Tuskegee Airmen as on March 13th, 1945 to Regensburg. There were several MIA and KIA of bomber and fighter airmen that day. Dad made it back.
Super! Thanks and greeting to US people from Russia!
Greetings from us to the people of Russia happy holidays to you and your family a very happy New year
Best holiday wishes for peace on earth and prosperity for all.
Greetings to the people of Russia from the United States. Hope all is well with you over there in Russia?
@Рамис Карама Hello there! Pamnc Kapama, it's a pleasure meeting you! I would like to know if you are a female or male that I am conversing with? I am very sorry that you are poverty stricken over there. I dont make that much money. I make about 50k a year! I am glad that you have a positive attitude. I know that I would love to travel to Russia someday. I heard that the Russian people do not like Americans very much! I hope that is not true due to the fact that I would love to travel there someday! You take care!!! Jason
@Рамис Карама Thank you Pamis for the kind greetings. I wish you much success in your studies and career!
What an amazing aircraft and all that it represents. One of the few times when "epic' is the proper word choice.
When I was a child of 4 years, my father took me to an airshow in Chicago. We viewed it from Soldier Field. A B-17 did a fly by with two engines feathered on one side. It was about 1943,
My High School science teacher was a
B-17 Captain during WWII. We asked him to tell us about his experiences, but he was a very humble gentleman, the only thing he did say was the flak from the German 88's scared the crap out of him.
Just think, the men who flew these in WW2 were in their early twenty's............... These guys probably exceed 10,000 flight hours experience.
It sounds like the guy in the pilots seat, is either flying the B-17 for the first time or doesn't have that much experience in this type, as the guy in the co-pilot seat seems to be giving him a lot of pointers. Great pilot anyhoo his landing was very smooth.
Love it. Thank you, gentleman. Would love to have seat on one. I was a USAF aircraft electrician on the B-52H, KC-135 and the HH-1H and loved every minute of it. I was lucky enough to have a seat on every aircraft I worked on. This is on my #Bucketlist. Beautiful video.
Nothing more beautiful than the sound of 4 big radials...Thank you gentlemen!
I took a joyride on this very ship today in Reading PA at the big air show. Got to land while sitting in the bombardier seat. Best ride ever, best view ever!
There were uncountable brave men in WW2 Airmen, Infantry,Sailors. My Father was on one of the famous Fletcher class Destroyers 175 built 25 went down these had 1/2 INCH of steel on sides. These boats/ships were in fierce battles as were these B-17s the odds on either were horrible!. RIP to all brave men who helped keep us free!. God bless. America land that I love!🇺🇸
My father spent 13 months as a pow after being shot down in a b17 over Austria. It was their first mission. He was an engineer and top turret gunner.
Stunning airplane,Why can't the BBC,and ITV put programs like this on TV instead of reality crap and depressing soap operas???
jane crossland: how many people (in thousands please) do you think would view those programs ?
How about all the killed civilians
@@rihc3584 It's called WAR.
Truman said "War is hell."
They wouldn't be selling TV ads so well if they did, is all. Also, WW2 and its cohort of machines and men is now a distant and fading memory for many people on Earth. With each passing year, this kind of top notch report will attract a decreasing number of viewers. The passing of time... sigh...
DAMN!!! That is the coolest thing!!!!! I've had a ride in B-17 in Texas 35 years ago with the Confederate Air Force. It was a thrill, but I can't help think of all the young men that flew these grand planes and all who lost their life.
My thanks go out to all the men and woman that serve then and now. It is Awesome to see these old bird still loved and flying. Such History in all.
My piloted 29 missions over Nazi Occupied Europe. Made it back from all missions with no wounded, except his tail gunner got and earlobe shot off. He also flew German engineers and scientist out of Neutral Switzerland with the prospect of being shot as a spy, as it was against the Geneva Convention. After he came back stateside, he flew anti-submarine duty and trained pilots. 2 DFC's, 2 Air Medals and 4 Oak Leaf Clusters. Thanks for the video!
And named you well. (I'm assuming you meant your father)
Wonderful ! Eternal thanks and admiration to all the brave men who flew these planes.
Just a, pinch, of fear. Otherwise , supermen.
OHHHH WOW!!!!! What a beautiful aircraft. I would love to fly in this. What an experience that would be!!! Thank you for sharing this awesome video!!!!
Iit's beautiful but its also so loud you will go deaf
and expensive for a ride at a local show it was 450 bucks per person
Doctoberfest598 Well worth the cost I reckon :)
Yes considering there are only about 10 in the entire world that are airworthy anymore!
My dad was the bombardier in one of these. Shot down on a raid on ball bearing factories in Hanover. Spent 18 months in Stalag Luft 1. Whenever actual combat footage was in a film, he'd lean forward to see if he could see his squadron's insignia....Triangle K. This plane is Triangle L. I once sneaked into one of these planes in an Air Force museum, Beal AF Base in California. Home of the SR-71. The plywood plug that normally would close off the rear wheel access panel was missing and I went up inside. For as heralded as this plane was in our family....I couldn't believe how small it was inside. I was maybe 6'' and my outstretched arms could touch side to side. Shocking. Thanks for the footage. Nice job.
Love to see the comments about the 401st bomb group. My dad was a tail gunner in that group also stationed also out of Deenethorpe. Lots of good stories, including getting shot up badly on one mission and being escorted back home by P51s. He survived 30 missions, made it back home around VE day. Dad passed in 2010; miss him so very much. I still have his old flight jacket, chunks of flack, and other momentos of the war. Very brave guys back then. We owe a lot to them.
Awesome video thanks for posting! I'm so thankful there are people that keep these machines flying. I was blessed to be able to take a B-17 flight with my grandfather who was shot down over Europe in a B-17. If interested, I have the story and video posted on my UA-cam channel. God bless that generation! The fact that I got to experience that almost brought me to tears.
I'm sorry to say my Dad never shared details of his WW11 experiences. I know he was a door gunner but I don't know what bird or birds he flew in. My nephew was with him at the VA hospital once and saw a stamp on his medical records folder that he had been a POW. He was in the Pacific Theater and told me he had been shot down and after being captured he later escaped. He was the guy that was considered the toughest man in town in his day. He was 40when I was born so most of his better days were behind him as I got old enough to understand these things. Was told stories mostly by older brothers, one of them was we had moved to another small town (south central Texas) he as a welder in the oilfield and pipelines. His reputation followed him and was challenged while at this bar. Before air conditioning the tables would be placed by framed openings that had shudders you opened outward. The story went that not even the guys feet touched the table as he got knocked out that opening. My brother told me this story when I was a teenager when I asked my dad a out it, all he said was that he didn't know about whether not even his feet touched the table or not as he went through that opening but it sure does f--- up your hand when you hit a man like that. Then he turned back to watching TV. The greatest generation, yeah I'll agree with that....
The men who crewed these on missions over Germany were brave beyond believe
brian critchley A
Brave young kids flew these plains. late teens to early twenties.
And the german civilians who got bombed and burned every midnight were even braver.
ITS THEIR government that started the war our people just ended it...
You are so ful of shit.
Great video! My dad was technician at Hickman Field. I don’t think he serviced any 17’s. The ‘24 had replaced the B 17 when my dad arrived in Hawaii.
Thanks to your dad. His hard work allowed many to return to base. One correction, it's Hickham Field.
My grandfather was a navigator on 50 missions in B-17s over Europe during World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He died two years ago. I miss him dearly.
My father, who passed away at 95 this past November was a Bombardier on a B-17 in the 20th Bombing Squad in the 2nd Bomb Gp flying out of Foggia Italy (1944). These men were brave heroes, as were all the soldiers in WWII. Thanks for posting. He told many stories about his Air Corp adventures. GREAT to see such a clear image of the B-17 in flight. His was an older model I think, but imagine the experience was similar.
Tears ..... A BEAUTIFUL aeroplane ...... :'(
The 17's and 51D's are my favourite planes of all time .....
They look just "Right" ..... :)
Yes, flew them in LAOS, WITH CHUCK YEAGER, THE B-17, also used in vietnam.
Wonderful, wonderful video. Probably the closest I’ll ever come to actually getting to fly in one of those beautiful birds! Thanks for posting. 🙏✨😎💫
My son and I flew the EAA B-17, Aluminum Overcast a few years ago. It was quite an experience! I really admire the pilots that flew
during the war.
How beautiful, so many years watching movies of this plane and today for the first time I have flown a P-51 ... thank you very much, excellent video and the pilot ... masterful