Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress flight with cockpit view and ATC
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- Take a flight in a World War II B-17G bomber. Interesting to see the detail of engine start, taxi, take off, cruise and landing all from cockpit.
You can take a flight in this B-17 as well, book via the link below
www.yankeeairmu...
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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.”
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!
Amazing crew! To all those who say elders could not perform, take this ! Well done fellas, like in the good old days.
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.
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 ?
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
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 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.
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...
God bless for sharing. My father-in-law was nav/bombardier 31 missions WWII. Shot down January 1, 1945. Sent to Stalag Luft 1 till end of war. Married his daughter!
Cool film. I was lucky enough to have had a tour inside a static B17 at Duxford ( thanks Friends of Duxford ) It was very tight in there with not a great deal of room. I did the same in their B29 and B52. Any vet of recent conflicts visiting the UK should get some time at Duxford and their American Hanger, there’s a lot to take in. Very grateful to the friends of Duxford for arranging the behind the scenes tours.
What an incredible dream to fly in this amazing aircraft. I doubt I will ever live to have this incredible experience. This is absolutely my favorite aircraft ever created. What a beauty.
Why not ? They tour all over the USA every year and the flight is around $ 500.
My late father was in the 2nd AIF (Australian Infantry Forces) as a master layer in the heavy anti aircraft unit based all over New Guinea. His responsibility was to identify the various enemy Japanese aircraft to shoot them down. My dad had a real love of aircraft in general & told me so so many stories of the various US bombers. He managed to get several rides with various crews. He told me how wonderful the American flight crews were! Dad told me of the B17 & how majestic they looked. He marvelled at how the hell they stayed in the air!😂 He did fly in the famed DC3 doing numerous supply drops over Kakoda to our Aussie troops. Anyway great video guys & just bloody awesome!!!
I had arrived at work here in northern Utah, and I was walking across the parking lot to the building entrance when I heard a sound in the sky that I had never heard before. Now mind you, in the military I had flown on and jumped out of many Air force C-130's while with the paratroopers, so I had heard plenty of four engine aircraft in the sky, but this sound was different. I looked up and for the first time in my life I saw a B-17 flying down to the south! I had seen the one they have in the museum here at Hill AFB, but it's static and indoors. It's a beautiful aircraft though. But this was one flying across the sky! It was all silver. I watched it until it disappeared out of sight and I was thinking how lucky I was to have seen it. Unfortunately, just a few days later I saw on the news that a B-17 had crashed in Texas, and it was all silver, so I knew it was the one that I had seen. This was about 6 or 7 years ago.
My dad flew in these as a medic in WWII, I heard all the stories. *Incredible!*
My dad taught dive bombing at Pensacola in Corsairs. He later flew B-17's between Guam and Oakland with wounded US soldiers. His favourites were PBY's.
This flight was filmed at Sikorsky Memorial Airport ( "BDR" , owned by the City Of Bridgeport, Connecticut ), located in adjacent Stratford, Connecticut ( my hometown ).
I chuckled when the pilot mentioned the elevated rise beyond the end of the runway, when I was a youngster before going to kindergarten ( circa 1961) my Dad would take our household garbage there, it was the Town of Stratford Dump then...
To the left of the takeoff sequence was where Igor Sikorsky first flew the tethered VS-300 helicopter on September 14, 1939.
Also, from this field, occurred the first flight of the Vought-Sikorsky ( later Chance-Vought ) XF4U / (F4U Corsair, and over 7,000 were assembled in the plant across South Main Street.
The loss of wonderful people,the loss of a wonderful plane from America’s past. It’s so much tragedy in one day. Even without deaths of any of the passengers,it would have been such a sad loss. The combo is overwhelming
Its been a long dream to even see one in person! Ive build almost every model kit there is for this beauty even a 1:32 scale
Bucket list to ride in one!!!!!!
I love that low slung cockpit
That blends right into the body of the B-17 Plane. So very beautiful !!!
Pretty cool the gauge at the bombardiers position still working. what a view out the nose
I love B-17s! I paid $400 for an hour flight on the Liberty Bell. Best $400 I ever spent!
According to my dad, to talk to another person without earphones and throat mike, you had to scream in their ear.
My dad who will be 99 this September was a bombardier on a B-17. He flew over 30 missions.
Bless him! My dad passed when he was 58, but chain smoking and previous heart attacks are not a good combination. That was in 1986, two years after I graduated high school. There sure were a lot of old gaffers on my mother's side, though!
My father, too, was a B-17 bombardier. 52 missions North Africa and Sicily. No stinking chin turret or much fighter support then. I don't know how he did it. Regards to your dad.
Thank you very much for the exciting video you uploaded. Felt like I was in myself.
Thoroughly enjoyable watchin' that - just great! Loved the views thru the turret bubbles. Thanks for sharing the video!
It's been a dream of mine ever since I was a child to Fly in one of these, when I was about six or seven years old they would fly over our house along with B-24s and sometimes in formation ,My Mom and Dad had Five acres and one time one of them threw out a mini parachute with a note that said hello and a Hershey candy bar while I was outside playing.
My uncle, Gerald Wrightsman was a B-17 pilot during WWII. God rest his soul.
Sorry, correction, it was my uncle Clarence, not my uncle Gerald.
A M A Z I N G. A truly wonderful clip of film. Thanks to all who made it so.
Utterly fab video. Stunning definition...Intercom sound more like 1918.
Our heroes...thank you for service..from FR
Father was involved with this plane in North Africa, he loved it so much I was named for the nose art name on his plane "Arla Faye" Husband gave me a ride for Christmas here in AZ at Falcon Field
Thanks to the men who allowed this video! And to the men who flew and lost their lifes in this great plane.
Beautiful aircraft actually, my first job was selling posters/picture on the street in my border town as young as 9 of my age( Thailand/Burma ).
At an air show in my hometown they had a B-17 and B-25 you could ride in one for 100$. I choose the B-17.
Best 100$ I ever spent.
Awesome video Nick. The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is one of my favourite aircraft of all time. Absolutely beautiful and looks good from all angles. I studied this plane so much I can draw a decent picture of one thanks to a photographic memory. This must have been the B-17 I saw a few years ago flying overhead in London Ontario. That one had the same red tail markings.
Had a B-17 buzz my house about 3 times one weekend last summer less than 100' off the ground. Pictures were falling off the walls. Not sure if they were giving rides from the adjacent airport or what. Here in Kalamazoo Mi seeing a B-17 or 24 is common every year.
Super smooth flight!
Very beautiful! It more and more rare to get HD recordings for future generations..
How long will they able to do it? Are there young people able to fly that history? Will this planes still last some decates?
brilliant video of a unique experience. thanks for making and sharing
Superb footage Nick - beautiful aircraft !
Complimenti .. siete coraggiosi ragazzi . Quanti anni avete...? E quanti ne ha la macchina..?
something for the bucket list.
Great video!! What a machine!!
Классно что есть люди которые сохранили историю
Great plane! I think of the movie, "Air Force"...my hat's off to all of those brave Americans who flew daily over occupied Europe and Germany in the B-17's, and the other bombers and fighters, of course. Thank you for my freedom.
Nothing as fine as a B-17.
Nothing as fine as a B-29
Nothing as mean as a B-17
I'm a B-24 man myself.
If it ain't a Boeing, I ain't a-going.
@@edwardgiugliano4925 ya going bye bye. If it ain't boeing, it be foreign now-a-days.
American aviation was far better when all the aircraft companies were separate.
okrajoe yes there is a Lancaster
BRILLIANT! Thanks for Posting - Great Aircraft
Outstanding!
I realize this is an old video, internet wise, but I would love to hear the voices of the crew reflective of the age of the pilots that flew this ship. Cool to see a bunch of seasoned pilots, however, all the more poignant to hear the voices of less seasoned pilots taking on this important task. Just a thought.....
That is some experience good job boys quit video
Imagine flying one of these into battle. insane
Nice footage.
Браво. Легенда жива.
Beautiful plane. Thanks.
Of the 12,731 total B17's built all models, there were 8500 of the B17G's !!!! The most built model identifiable by the chin turret !!! There were more B17G's built than ALL the British Lancasters combined, 7377 !!!!
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...
I love that low slung cockpit
That blends right into the body of the B-17 Plane. So very beautiful !!!
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.
Wow this is so cool Nick. I love WWII era history and I've always wanted to ride on a B-17. Hopefully one day I will, but this video is so high quality that I felt like I was riding along! That view out of the machine gunners position was just amazing! Adding this one to my favorites! Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
subaruwrxfan I am glad you liked it Matt, did not know if this video was really going to fit in but I am glad I made it now.
Costs about $400 to go for a ride.
@@jameshorton7496 WELL worth it!
@@jameshorton7496 trust me, if i could get on one of those, I would definitely work overtime and eat nothing but canned soup
@@jameshorton7496 iis a very low price for this privilege,some day i will go to EEUU only to enjoy and chat with those amazing men.
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 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.
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!
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
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!
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
Just think, the men who flew these in WW2 were in their early twenty's............... These guys probably exceed 10,000 flight hours experience.
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
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.
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
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.
Thanks for preserving part
of our REAL history. Thank God for our Greatest Generation.
CK Baxter
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!
Beautifully restored piece of history. Well done!
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
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 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
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.
🌹🌹
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
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.
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!
Why doesn't war thunder use this vid to do the inside of the B-17?????
+MannionGames Because they are too busy making the russians op.
+4 Tonnes of Fury so true!
+4 Tonnes of Fury More like too busy making half baked planes/tanks for GE.
+4 Tonnes of Fury so true they work to hard on Russia and the make the American plane garbage even though there not. I also think German planes are op
blue Wheels They are not op its the allied planes are severely nerfed, the griffon spits used to be a german pilots nightmare until a while ago, same goes for the p51 and the f7f.
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)
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
Many years before my time but I still get misty eyed with I see theses beautiful ladies fly
'ladies'??
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...
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'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
My great grandfather flew B-17s out of England from the 490th bomb group of the 850th bomb squadron.
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
Very good, excellent, video. I wonder if any of those men, flying that plane, remember any of WWII! If so they would have to be 75 yrs old or older. I remember WWII from start, 1941 to 1945, to finish and everything that went along with it, on the home front.. That is because I am 85! Losses of B17s, over Germany, was heavy until the savior, the P51 Mustangs, entered the B17s flights as escorts. They put an end to the Luftwaffe!
attrition put an end to it
They probably weren't alive in 45. If they were flying in 1943 they'd have to be 95! If they were 20 years old when they signed on. Not too many left now. I did talk to one guy the other day that was a top turret gunner. He was 18 when in got in on the waning days of WW2. Heros all.
Thank you for sharing Tom! God bless America! I hope you are doing well sir!
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 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.
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.
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.
This is an outstanding video that gives the viewer what it is really like, flying in a real B-17G. I watched this intently and have been captivated by the quality of this video. Thank you for posting this unique visual representation of what it is really like in the cockpit. Very, very well done video.
+6Eighty6 Man I am glad you enjoyed. Thanks for commenting.
+6Eighty6 Man I strongly agree. Outside views from different stations were very much appreciated by me. My favorite uncle was a B-17 bombardier who lost 2 fingers and most of the use of his right arm in that war thanks to Nazi flak. Videos like this one help to put many things into perspective. Great job.
* gives the viewer what it is really like,*
I disagree. While it is a great video, no doubt....there really is no substitute for actually being in it. Much the same, being just a passenger in it, you don't get the same experience as the guys that went to war in it. It is an amazing ride...it is a bit hard on the soul though, when you think about those guys from so long ago. I was fortunate enough to be working my local airport when this very plane came in, and got a free seat. Fortune smiled on me again, when Yankee Warrior(B-25) came in. There was an empty seat, and I got to go along.
On the 25 ride, there was a Vet on board, who flew them in the South Pacific. I got to chat with him for a while before the flight. All I can say, from his stories...."chills".
After the flight, we had to physically get him off the plane. He was so overcome from the memories, he could barely move. I am not ashamed to admit, my eyes did get a little "sweaty".
Couldn't done without the pre flight confusion
Thanks from France people, it's really good I was twelve (12 ans)
Having the voice as well as multiple camera angles was like really being on board. Great video!
If this "old" girl could talk.
I was Honored by Congressman Doug LaMalfa to experience this type of flight . He honored me for my service to Country and our Service men and women especially the America Fallen Warriors in November 2017