Caution: Graphic images ahead. Do not continue if you have a love of aviation, military history, or both.
Brad_in_ma sends in the following saddening story:
Plane crash involving WWII bomber in Oswego
...OSWEGO, Ill.—A confirmed plane crash in Oswego involving a restored WWII bomber.
[removes hat for moment of silence]The plane is a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, a WWII bomber that was restored and named in honor of the Liberty Belle
There is one less Flying Fortress in the skies now. According to this link (also kindly provided by Brad), there are only 12 air-worthy B17s remaining in the world. The bomber that helped bring the Axis to its knees is slowly fading away, much like the members of the Greatest Generation that stormed the beaches of Normandy some 67 years ago.
If you get the chance to see a B17, take it - they will not be around much longer...
That is all.
16 comments:
Listened to this on the fire radio as it was only about 15 miles from me. Broke my heart, but thank G-d everyone got out safely. Minor injuries only.
I saw that, yesterday - sad, sad, sad. I've been lucky enough to see, I think, 3 different B-17's, and to take a ride in one. Never saw the Liberty Bell, and now I never will. It's always crappy when we lose an old warbird, even worse when it dies in such a manner that it's totally unrecoverable.
At least the old girl got her crew home, safely.
Yeah, I think that's a fitting tribute to the ol' Fortress that she was able to keep it together long enough to get everyone out safely...
Sad. My Grandfather went for a ride in it last year.
It will be missed.
Dunno if I'm being to trite, but she DID die with her boots on!
I'd prefer to go out that way rather than rot in a boneyard until the price of metal makes it worth it for them to scrap me.
just sayin'
Jay,
Not only a fitting tribute to the plane & its designers, but a fitting tribute to the pilot who had the presence of mind to put down IN A HURRY for his crew.
You can see a B-17 locally -- look up The Collings Foundation.
- Brad
Lady Liberty brought her crew home.
And it looks like at least 2 engines, the tail gear and possibly the starboard landing gear will be able to be used by her sisters.
This site has info on WWII aircraft shows.
http://www.commemorativeairforce.org/
Damn near cried. This B-17 has lots of ties to where I live. After the war it was used by Pratt & Whitney for 20yrs as an engine test bed. It then spent another 20yrs at 2 different CT air museums before a 15yr long restoration back to flying condition. She returned home almost every year since, and while I never got the chance to ride aboard her, other friends have. I do have pictures of her flying over my house and work. http://youtu.be/v59h5pKcLF8
Lets not also forget the Goodyear blimp crash this weekend. The pilot died to save his passengers and crew.
:(
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!
Technically a successful off airport landing (no injuries) or direct damage. But the engine fire is serious and unfortunately led to total destruction.
There is a lot of high octane fuel and
some 20 gallons of engine oil with lots of heat. Fires are serious.
While it's a total loss its good to hear there were no injuries or homes damaged.
Eck!
The fire appeared to be in the fuselage, not the engines.
This airplane was damn near destroyed by a tornado in 1979. It would be a real our-starred bitch to rebuild it again, but I'd not count it out.
Pics of her in happier times:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/580332920MxNLuG
My buddy and I spent the money for the ride in Liberty Belle Oct '09.
I agreed with the pilot that planes belong in the air. He agreed with me that meant that eventually all would be lost to some sort of mishap.
I got a ride in her about 5 years ago. We buzzed the nearby big airport while I was riding in the glass nose. Makes me cry to see her gone. My photos mean that much more now...
Saw Liberty Belle, a companion B-24, and escorting P-47 & P-51 fly by the Blue Job fire tower one day a few years back. We looked down on all four as they went by - what a sight!
I'll remember that day forever. Sad to see the old gal go, but she had a good run.
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