B-17 "Liberty Belle" crash in IL - a huge loss


M

MNJason

GT Owner
May 14, 2010
2,097
San Diego
I know there are a lot of pilots and historians (like myself) on this forum. This is a huge loss to the WWII flying community:

www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/b...nvolving-wwii-bomber-20110613,0,5852034.story
 
How many flying B-17s are left now? 9 or 10?
 
According to this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-17_Flying_Fortress

12 left flying. They have already updated the Belle loss of today.
 
'Sickening.
 
:frown:frown:frown
 
Gentlemen,

What a bummer. There are literally millions of volunteer man hours invested in every B-17 still flying. We have a flying B-17 based here in the CAF Museum at Falcon Field where I keep my plane. There are over 100 guys who spend their spare time keeping it airworthy. Heartbreaking.

Chip
 
Very sad - without these planes, we would never have defeated the Germans in WWII. It's a shame to lose any of the few remaining - yet it's such a thrill to be able to actually see them flying, rather than just parked in museums.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOLOVoO3k3g
 
Here is the amazing part: "Number built 12,731"
 
That is really depressing news. My son and I flew in that plane in 2009 when it was in Florida. What a terrible loss. At least there were no injuries.
 
064.jpg
 
A damn shame. Glad no one was hurt.
 
The passing of an old warrior is always sad news indeed.
 
Truly a sad day. Glad no one was seriously hurt. There use to be 5 of these aircraft at Falcon Field in AZ, "Sentimental Journey" and 4 others used for fire fighting/parts.
 
Nafod said:
Truly a sad day. Glad no one was seriously hurt. There use to be 5 of these aircraft at Falcon Field in AZ, "Sentimental Journey" and 4 others used for fire fighting/parts.
Click to expand...

Sentimental Journey is still there. Probably the most complete and correct of the last flying B-17s. I have been flying in her twice (as a passenger) and have crawled through every part of that great old bomber. I have also flown formation with a B-17 in a North American T-6. That big lumbering plane looks like it would be an easy target but there is no angle to approach from that would not have a vicious stream of machine gun fire pouring straight into the nose of an approaching fighter. That must have been a hell of an experience.

Chip
 
What a shame - but congratulations to the pilot for getting it down safely and all crew off without injury.

These old birds are becoming increasingly rare, they all have fabulous stories and hint at some extremely brave young men.

In the UK we have a similar plane, the Lancaster Bomber (or flying fortress), I think there's only one flying example left in the UK and 16 examples elsewhere in the world.

3878438703_dd25a9c791.jpg
 
B 17 crash

Both owner and builder are personal friends. Almost brought them to tears. They were relieved at no injuries....the most important consideration. BUT, THE PLANE TOOK TEN MEN FULL TIME TEN YEARS TO BUILD IT. ITS A HUGE LOSS FOR SUCH A HUMBLE ENTHUSIAST. Good news is he has one more being built in our backyard. May take ten years though.
 
Glad everyone is OK, huge loss......
Very sorry
 
The B17 and the B25 WWII Bombers over and around Arizona's Superstition Mountains and Saguaro Lake -

http://vimeo.com/18135369

View it in Full Screen!!
 
Chip, You know this guy! Here is what he found on the B-17's.

According to the fed’s there are only 22 B-17’s registered with the FAA. Some of which are used as firebombers. I think there are a couple more in other countries.



B-17-E
B-17-F
B-17-G




Mark Brown

Falcon Insurance Agency of Houston, Inc.
 
Falcon Aviation Insurance

Tugboat said:
Chip, You know this guy!

Mark Brown

Falcon Insurance Agency of Houston, Inc.
Click to expand...

Tugboat,

I certainly do! The Falcon Aviation Insurance Agency was my primary sponsor during my years flying on the Air Show circuit. Mark Brown & crew were great guys to work with and I have left their sponsor logos on my plane to this day.

Chip

Falcon 2.jpg
 
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