So Long ‘Liberty Belle’ B-17 Flying Fortress

[colchar]

As a historian I understand the value of keeping planes like these, and those in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, flying but, at some point, we're going to have to ground them in order to preserve them as we simply cannot afford to lose the ones we have.

 

[duck2k]

The CAF at Falcon Field recently got their FAA certification to fly this restored beast. This is a pretty B-25 (Major Doolittle would have been proud).

Maid in the Shade:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R29q7NlRsKk]YouTube - ‪B-25 Maid in the Shade engine start- Up Close!‬‏[/ame]

 

[pinefd]

Wow, sad to see the fate of that amazing plane. I probably saw that one in person at some point, since my dad and I would try and go to as many air shows as we could together while he was still with us. His eyes would tear up whenever he'd see some of these old planes. He, himself, was a B-24 pilot during WWII, and flew quite a few missions over Europe.

Here's my dad (standing, second from the right) and his crew in front of their plane:

Frank

 

[RichardH]

Wow, sad to see the fate of that amazing plane. I probably saw that one in person at some point, since my dad and I would try and go to as many air shows as we could together while he was still with us. His eyes would tear up whenever he'd see some of these old planes. He, himself, was a B-24 pilot during WWII, and flew quite a few missions over Europe.

Here's my dad (standing, second from the right) and his crew in front of their plane:

Frank

Pass my thanks along to your dad for me! Can't thank those guys enough!

 

[PapaSquash]

Do you see me wave, Jim? A couple weeks ago Saturday I was near the fairgrounds, and I heard the piston engines - and "Hey check it out! A B-17!"

Breaks my heart, to see her down in a field like that.

 

[pinefd]

Pass my thanks along to your dad for me! Can't thank those guys enough!

Thanks, Richard, I wish I could, but he passed away ten years ago (just a few days before 9/11).


Frank

 

[Publius pro tem]

Frank,
Sorry for your loss and heartache, but...

(just a few days before 9/11)

Maybe THIS was a good thing - as far as timing is concerned?

After what those men accomplished in the mid-twentieth century, maybe it's best they didn't see 9/11.

Just a thought.

God bless 'em every one.

.​

 

[LiveOak]

I was so bummed, and still am, when I saw the news about the crash. However, I am glad that the crew got out OK.

 

[BillB1960]

Thanks, Richard, I wish I could, but he passed away ten years ago (just a few days before 9/11).


Frank

Condolences Frank, I lost my dad in January of '01. Still miss him.

 

[duck2k]

Wow, sad to see the fate of that amazing plane. I probably saw that one in person at some point, since my dad and I would try and go to as many air shows as we could together while he was still with us. His eyes would tear up whenever he'd see some of these old planes. He, himself, was a B-24 pilot during WWII, and flew quite a few missions over Europe.

Here's my dad (standing, second from the right) and his crew in front of their plane:

Frank

Frank,

Bless your father's heart for my freedom. Pass that along from a Navy vet. I saw the only flying B-24 not too long ago flying over my town (Fountain Hills, AZ).

Thanks again!

 

[Roberteaux]

My dad flew a B-24 as his primary aircraft in WW2. He also flew 17's, 25's, 18's, and so forth while ferrying aircraft from one place to the next.

He told me that one one bombing mission, a 500-pounder from above took off the last two feet of his wingtip. He said, "Yeah, she handled kinda funny after that. He also brought his aircraft in on the proverbial wing and prayer a few times. He flew 52 combat missions.

Sad to see this venerable ol' bird out of the game. It can be rebuilt, though it would no longer be 100% original... that is, if it was so to begin with.

--R

 

[mtgguitar]

Three years ago the Belle visited Buffalo and I went out to see her and shoot some pics. Photobucket is down right now or I'd post a few.

She was at a private field adjacent to the Buffalo airport. It was a great experience, watching the old girl land, take on passengers and take off. Modern jetliners were coming and going in the background. The comparison was fantastic.

The modern planes roared off on steep takeoff trajectories. The Belle used a lot of runway to build up speed, the sights and sounds were unforgettable. There were some old timers there who obviously had fond memories of planes like the Belle.

My dad flew a Jeep, a pair of boots and a M1 rifle.

 

[GitFiddle]

Frank,
Sorry for your loss and heartache, but...


Maybe THIS was a good thing - as far as timing is concerned?

After what those men accomplished in the mid-twentieth century, maybe it's best they didn't see 9/11.

Just a thought.

God bless 'em every one.

.​

Yeah, my Father served in three wars defending our country and I'm glad he didn't have to see that shit.

 

[dave b]

Sad to lose such an iconic piece of history. She will be missed.