My great grandfather was the Ball turret gunner on a B-17 and was even shot down behind enemy lines, somehow he managed to get out of the turret grab a chute and bail out of the plane. He landed safely and was smuggled back to England by the underground.
What's amazing to me is these men were 18-19 years old. The Captain was considered an old man at 25. Not only did these men stay in their assigned areas for hours on end, the B-17 wasn't pressurized. They call them the "greatest generation" for a reason. Mad respect.
Thanks for the video ! I can’t imagine getting a real air fight inside this plane, the young mans who did it back in the days were a real heroes. What a spirit, what a bravery… Greeting from Russia.
@@griffithwes thanks, I really love jets, and I want to learn about them, luckily I'm only 14, so i have plenty of time to spend learning about aircrafts
Curious question, I've noticed a lot of ww2 era bombers have vertical stabilizers shaped like that. Is/was there a reason they're not just a hard edged triangle?
I met that exact airplane when I was 6 years old when my mom brought me to an airshow, she died about a year ago, I'm 33 now and I'm never going to see her, or this aircraft again.
My Dad was 17. He lied about his age to join the Army Air Core. He was a radio operator on the B-17 during WWII. His plane was shot down by ME-109. He survived, and was captured by Germans. He was a P.O.W. for 1.5 years.
The B-17G I'm standing behind is the 909! She went down in Windsor Locke CT in 2019 due to engine failure! She belonged to the Collins foundation! My those that lost their lives that day, RIP!
Another correction: it was called the Flying Fortress not because of its guns (and early models were anemic in terms of defensive armament), but because it was seen as a way to protect America’s coasts beyond the range of the old way of doing so, using coastal fortresses.
According to statistical data the ball turret was the safest place in the plane, waist gunners were most likely to die and rear gunner just after them :D
My great grandfather was the Ball turret gunner on a B-17 and was even shot down behind enemy lines, somehow he managed to get out of the turret grab a chute and bail out of the plane. He landed safely and was smuggled back to England by the underground.
Interesting story! That's sounds incredible he was able to survive being hit.
What's amazing to me is these men were 18-19 years old. The Captain was considered an old man at 25. Not only did these men stay in their assigned areas for hours on end, the B-17 wasn't pressurized. They call them the "greatest generation" for a reason. Mad respect.
❤
one of the major cause of injury was frostbite !
Thanks for the video ! I can’t imagine getting a real air fight inside this plane, the young mans who did it back in the days were a real heroes. What a spirit, what a bravery… Greeting from Russia.
I'm amazed how tight things are in them. I went through Nine oh Nine a few years before the tragedy.
Nice, where do you learn the information about these planes tho?
You can always learn in books and on Wikipedia. Plus he’s experienced and knows what he’s looking at.
@@griffithwes thanks, I really love jets, and I want to learn about them, luckily I'm only 14, so i have plenty of time to spend learning about aircrafts
@@pumpkin8222 always glad to help! And use that time wisely!
This was the first WWII airplane I flew in and it was in 17. I've gotten to fly in a 51 and a 25(one of the if not the loudest airplane).
Thanks!
Curious question, I've noticed a lot of ww2 era bombers have vertical stabilizers shaped like that. Is/was there a reason they're not just a hard edged triangle?
aesthetics ? why have a straight line when you could have a beautiful curve ?
How often do they come to wright Patt?
I met that exact airplane when I was 6 years old when my mom brought me to an airshow, she died about a year ago, I'm 33 now and I'm never going to see her, or this aircraft again.
Saw her in the pattern while I was driving along sprinkle road that day...magnificent bird
So cool, I hope you get inside of a b-29 one day
Thanks for sharing, appreciate it a lot 👍
Greets from the Netherlands, T.
Un avion de corta vida..sin forro interior ,las balas pasaban de un lado a otro..cero proteccion para los tripulantes...pocas esperanzas de volver..
Great to see inside the aircraft. Not a very technical commentary tbh.
Heck und Kugelturmschütze hatten die gefährlichsten Positionen gehabt.
My Dad was 17. He lied about his age to join the Army Air Core. He was a radio operator on the B-17 during WWII. His plane was shot down by ME-109. He survived, and was captured by Germans. He was a P.O.W. for 1.5 years.
My grandpa wasn't apart any b17 crew but he was part of a fighter escort
Your Grandfather helped men like my Father stay safe. I'm forever grateful.🇺🇸
The B-17G I'm standing behind is the 909! She went down in Windsor Locke CT in 2019 due to engine failure! She belonged to the Collins foundation! My those that lost their lives that day, RIP!
Another correction: it was called the Flying Fortress not because of its guns (and early models were anemic in terms of defensive armament), but because it was seen as a way to protect America’s coasts beyond the range of the old way of doing so, using coastal fortresses.
I cant imagine trying to get out of one in an emergency. 🙁
exactly !
Who's from Masters of the air
The gunners were all NCOs, noncommissioned officers.
The top turret gunner was also the flight engineer.
It makes me absolutely sick that the Yankee Air Museum sold her to someone in California. Then he's shipping it to New Zealand.... 😭
According to statistical data the ball turret was the safest place in the plane, waist gunners were most likely to die and rear gunner just after them :D
I'd love to fall off that walkway onto the bomb bay doors at 5000ft wearing a chute 🤣
I can’t believe I flew in The Yankee Lady in 2013 and forgot to bring a camera 😂
My great grandpa whas a. Pilot
im early
The nice halibut immediately move because vegetable conversantly extend atop a white night. expensive, lovely chance
wot you smokin' dude ???