In writing about three B-17s that served as air tankers or firebombers, I am starting with the B-17 that is now known as "Nine O Nine" owned by the Collings Foundation because I saw her late last summer when she was here in NJ on tour along with Collings B-24 ("Witchcraft") and the Collings P-51.
In 1965 she was purchased by Aircraft Specialty Company in 1965, and was modified to serve as an tanker, flying until sometime in the early to mid1980s. She saved a lot of lives on the ground as you flew fires in support of the wildland firefighters on the ground.
The Collings Foundation purchased her in 1986 and restored her to a configuration similar to that of B-17 bombers that flew during World War II.
Revised October 7, 2019
On the morning of Wednesday, October 2nd, the Collings Foundation B-17, "909" crashed at Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, Connecticut while on a stop on the 2019 Wings of Freedom Tour. Seven died, seven injured including one on the ground.
Direct link to video on Youtube from Savannah66
I wrote about a an article honor 909 and those who died and were injured on October 7, 2019
CAL FIRE (CDF) S2T Tanker 71 working Sawtooth Complex Fire (2006)
Sawtooth Complex Fire (Sept. 2006), San Bernardino County CA. Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service
No comments:
Post a Comment