Yesterday we got to fly in the Memphis Belle from Columbus Ohio to Erie PA. It was the most AWESOME thing ever . 1 hour and 45 minutes of running around filming all we could . I even was behind the wheel for about 5 minutes!I never thought I would stick my head outside of a plane during flight to take pictures of the ground or the of pilots flying the plane from the hole near the nose .

 

That is very cool!

 

I read the book telling the history of the crew and plane. Very moving story. Ken

 

OM_G, that is so ____ing cool!

I've done a lot of cool stuff, but that is so cool you're frozen, Baby!

I'd give a small body part to be able to do that. Those planes amaze me, and those air crews who flew them leave me awestruck.

Any and all photos would be welcome. Drool.

- Eric

 

How sweet that would be!
Is this the same one as was in the movie?
Man, that is so cool. I'm green with envy, nice.

 

That's is probably the coolest thing right there!!!!

 

Very very cool Tom.

I have read several books on B-17 and B-24 bomber crews. They all said that if you press your finger hard enough, you can poke a hole into the side of the plane. I thought this was hard to believe until I seen one close up. They are right! If I pressed my finger into the side hard enough, it would go through!

Now imagine a 7.92 mg round, or a 20 mm canon round from a Messerschmitt being fired at you.

Now those men where brave!

 

Brave AND terrified.

I can't imagine the relief each one must have felt once they were over England again, and the amount of booze it must have taken (or, the amount it would have taken me, anyway) to get to sleep, to get up and do it all over again the next day (if they were lucky).

- Eric

 

Way cool!

 

That would be one of the coolest things to do. Is the original Memphis Belle. The original was in Memphis for years where it deteriorated. I know it had been moved for restoration. For any of you guys who are interested in taking rides, the Collins Foundation tours the country with a B17, a B25 and a B24. They also have a P51 you can take a ride in. None of them are cheap but the bombers are affordable since they carry several people. The P51 is expensive. Here is the link.

http://www.collingsfoundation.org/menu.htm

Below is the link to the Commemorative Air Force that has the only flying B29 in the world. I have been through it but not flown in it.

http://www.commemorativeairforce.org/

 

The original Belle is at Dayton for restoration . This is the plane from the movie . It is a MUST SEE. Those young kids were so brave. The Liberty Belle foundation is touring the Belle currently. Ray was flying her when it caught fire near Chicago and burnt to the ground . I am lucky enough to know someone close the the war bird crowd , and have touched 2- B17's , 2- p51's in the last two weeks and hope to see a German fighter this week . More pictures and a short video from last years flight. Go to (there are other war bird shots there also.

 

Beyond cool. I envy you!

The CAF used to bring some of the restored warbirds to the local airshow every year but we haven't had it in a while. I never had enough money to take a flight then. Now that I have some spare money, no opportunity.

Am I the only one who chokes up when he sees one of these magnificent machines? I do literally choke back tears sometimes when I see one, especially if it's in the air. Then you think about a bunch of kids flying these missions...

 

Rocketraider,

You are definitely not the only one - I react the same way. My father-in-law was a P47 pilot with one confirmed kill over Germany. My Dad was a P47 mechanic during the war. We found out at our wedding ceremony when they began comparing notes that they were on the same air base in England at the same time during the war. They were in different squadrons and had friends in common but didn't know each other.

My high school drafting teacher was a B-17 pilot who was shot down over Germany and spent the last 18 months of the war in a German POW camp. It is always difficult to get these guys to talk about their experiences but when you do you hear some amazing things.

When you realize that most of these guys were 18 to 23 year old kids it becomes even more atonishing. I am absolutely in awe over what these guys did.

 

Awesome. I'm jealous

 

X2! Some say the greatest generation of Americans.

I was at the park several years ago with my kids when a B24 flew overhead at a somewhat low altitude. It was so loud it almost shook the ground. Now imagine a squadron of a 100 or more of these planes flying in formation. That would be a sight to see, and hear.

 

For a whole lot of people many years ago, it was the LAST sight they saw.

These things caused destruction that was the stuff of science fiction only 20 years before, and they're one of the main reasons we're not all speaking German (or maybe Japanese on the west coast) right now.

- Eric

 

Back when the CAF was located in S. Texas, I had the opportunity to work on some of them. There are also some privately owned T6's and other old aircraft here and I got to work on those also. Awesome planes, when they start it's almost the same feeling as being at the dragstrip with nostalgic hotrods.

 

So So Awe inspiring.
The greatest generation? For sure.
To give their all, in hopes to return to
mom and dad, and their best girl.
17 to 27 year olds? Wow, just wow.

Thanks to God, they were there for the
next generations. I could just hope the kids
that are their age now could realize that
generation's commitments for these United States.

You think we could at least get them to pull their pants up.
I'm somewhat worried boys....

 

It worries me too, among other things.

 

While I can appreciate the power of the imagery, I don't believe that the Germans would have invaded the US with the way the war was going for them. The US production apparatus was decisive in securing the allied survival from the beginning of the war, though, and should not be ignored. Neither should the sacrifices and efforts of the people who did their part, whatever it was.

 

Could you imagine trying to tool up and sacrifice for that kind of war today. It would never happen, the me me's would throw a fit.

 

I dunno, look at the enlistment and the president's approval rates just after 9/11. Sky-high. Add a substantial and ongoing threat, and a media coverage with a percentage as high as it was in the 40s, and I think you might have a shot at that kind of sacrifice.

In my short life I've learned that the average person never does their part until they HAVE to. This is no different.

 

Awesome experience. Just too cool for words. Thanks for sharing it with us.
As for the men who flew these birds off to battle.......they were a different breed. Real men and I am forever grateful for their service.

 

We lilve about 2 miles as the crow flies from a small muni airport, and there is a huge airplane museum there. They have quite a few vintage aircraft, including a completely restored P-51. (they just started working on an F-4 Phantom) Our home is right under the flight path for many of the departures and when pilots in training are circling the area doing 'touch & go's'. About once a month, there will be a Corsair, a P-38 or a P-51 soaring overhead. Every summer they have an airshow, and several of the birds will fly right over our home in formation. They are so loud that the windows will sometimes rattle. We have toured the museum a couple of times and they have an incredible collection of memorabilia from WWI, WWII & the Korean War. Absolutely Awsome.

 

Here are some videos from the flight . (I phone works OK)Flying in sunshine! - YouTube click on the flying in sunshine title to link to all 10 vids.

 

That''s awesome! I've heard of getting to go for rides, for like 30 minutes or so, but to fly that far and actually getting behind the controls is awesome.