Collings B-17, 909, gone but not forgotten

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

909, I first met you in August 2010 when you came to the Monmouth Executive Airport with the  Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour. I was awestruck to see you and your friends, the B-24 "Witchcraft" and the dual cockpit P-51 "Betty Jane". You represented living history. I know that you did not fly in World War II but you were restored to World War II configuration to honor all B-17's and their crew who served in World War II. Some of men who served on the B-17 made it home and some did not. After doing service in rescue operations, military transport and nuclear testing, you were purchased by Aircraft Specialty Company in 1965. You were then modified for service as an air tanker, flying wildfires until sometime in the 1980s. You 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 you in 1986 and restored you to a configuration similar to that of B17 bombers that flew during World War II.

As you toured the United States over the years, you were and still are loved by many including but not limited to all who came to see you and perhaps take a ride in you. You were living history. Seeing you had a profound effect on me. I love you as well as the B-24 and the P-5 that I saw on tour. I knew that I had to write about B-17s on my blog. I spent several months reading about the B-17. I got to know many other B-17s and their crews through my research and I have met a couple of other B-17s but you were and still are special. I saw you for a second time a year or so later in New Jersey. I regret not going to see you again, that is my loss. You were at Monmouth Executive Airport this past August, if I had known . . .

I mourn the loss of all who died when 909 crashed in Windsor Locks on October 2, 2019.  My prayers are with their families, friends, and all who loved them. My prayers are with all at the Collings Foundation. I pray for all who were injured in that crash.

I offer this wholly inadequate post to honor you and all who died on October 2nd. Nine-o-Nine, I am not sure that my words are adequate to express what you meant to me. Nor are my words adequate to express my sadness for those who died on October 3rd. I know that you and your pilots and those who lost their lives are flying in favorable tail winds.

The pilot of the Collings B-25 who was also on tour at Windsor Locks gave a moving tribute before he took off from Windsor Locks this past weekend. Please see this short article and audio clip from Fox61.

For those who have not seen this, the Collings Foundation issued this statement on October 2nd. They are suspending the rest of their 2019 Wings of Freedom Tour.

Evergreen's B-17 (N207EV) sold to Collings Foundation

After I shared the video on historic B-17 air tankers in Alaska (1960-75) on November 27th I wanted to find a video to share of a B-17 starting her engines and taking off, preferably one that had seen service as an air tanker.

I lucked out, and the video that I am embedding below cropped up on Youtube in the up next area as I was viewing Evergreen B-17 N207EV, 44-83785 starting her engines at a 1995 Warbirds show in Fresno CA. The video is just over two minutes.


Direct link to video

The video in question is titled "Saying goodbye to Evergreen's B-17 with a start up and take off" (published on August 5, 2017). It is just over 17 minutes long. I admit that I hesitated to share this with you because of the length of the video. But when I saw the description (go to the direct link where you will see this description. I was hooked.

For years this gentle giant has sat inside of Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. Now owned by the Collings Foundation, they flew the bird out of KMMV one last time as we all said good bye to the old gal. She will be missed by us here at Evergreen.

 I started to watch the video and felt the love that everyone at Evergreen had for a B-17. So I watched the video honoring this beloved B-17 as she took off for her new home at the Collings Foundation. This video shows that you can love an airplane. Note the cars parked along the road as people came to watch her take off from KMMV and Evergreen Aviation for the last time.


Direct link to video uploaded by planesguy

The Collings Foundation will spend the next year restoring her. Perhaps she will join their Wings of Freedom Tour in the future? Will she spend part of the year at their American Heritage Museum when it is completed? Depending on when you arrive at the American Heritage Museum page, you may see their Capital Fundraising campaign appeal. I am not soliciting funds for them, but I wish them well as the raise the necessary funds for this museum. I can't wait to go.



For more information on NJ207V, 44-83785 the Warbirds Registry has a nice information page that does not reflect her transfer to Collings Foundation ownership. This B-17 saw many years of service as an air tanker first by Intermountain Aviation (1969 to 1975), and then by Evergreen Helicopters (1975 -1992).

I am certain that N207EV will be loved in her new home. Many outside of the Collings Foundation will love her and see her up close and personal whether or not  she goes on the Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour after her restoration is complete.

B-17 tankers - 1960-75 - Alaska

Some of you may remember that I wrote a series on B-17s a few years ago, see for example my March 21, 2011 article). Or see my posts (24 as of this writing) with the B-17 tag. To make a long story short, I was thinking about historic B-17 tankers this morning and knew that I had to find some video to share with you. I was rewarded after a short time on Youtube with a video dated from 1960 to 1975, silent, 8 mm) of two historic B-17 tankers taking off and landing at Fairbanks, Alaska. I believe but am not certain that the two tankers (#17 and #18) were Aero Union B-17s. And I think that T-18 crashed in 1971 (according to Frederick A. Johnsen, Fire Bombers in Action (Video Book), 2010, p.123).

Enjoy this short video of these two wonderful historic B-17s. Too bad it is silent and you can't hear the distinctive sound of the radial engines


Direct link to video from Alaska Film Archives

A flight in EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast

I love the B-17 and when I was looking for something different and fun to post today, I came upon a video of EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast in flight. The video, uploaded to Youtube by David Sirak shows husband a wife team Ken and Lorraine Morris flying Aluminum Overcast over Orlando, Fl. Great footage from some GoPro Cameras. Looks like fun. Enjoy.


Direct link to video

Memorial Day 2016

I want to pause on this Memorial Day to remember all who have served in the military. Thank-you for your service. I will never forget.

I'd like to share with you this 1944 documentary (color) about the Memphis Belle. She was just one of the many B-17 Flying Fortresses who served in World War II. And there were many other aircrews flying various bombers, fighters, etc. Some came home and some did not. And of course, the troops on the ground. And of course, we had air crews in World War 1, Korea, Vietnam, and in currently in the Middle East. I won't forget.


Direct link to video on Youtube (uploaded by The Best Film Archives)

Brush fire - Mt. Tom - Holyoke MA and B-17 crew remembered

I have a few websites that I monitor just about every day to get an idea of current news relating to wildfires. As I was reading the news late this morning I came across a newsclip about a brush fire on Mt. Tom in Holyoke MA. I'll get to the eighteen acre brush fire in a moment.

The reason the article on the brush fire on Mt. Tom caught my eye is because Mt. Tom is one of those natural landmarks that stood out to me on many trips up I-91 in Massachusetts on my way to northern New England. It is a ski and recreation area, so there were a couple of bill boards advertising Mt. Tom.  Not only that, but she was a mountain that I always noticed. I regret that I have not yet stopped to visit her. Hopefully there is time for that on a later trip, I'll have to make time.

As I was reading the Wikipedia article on Mt. Tom, I noted that the mention of a crash of converted B-17 bomber in 1946 on Mt. Tom in 1946 killing all 25 on board. Small pieces of the wreckage are still on the mountain and a momument was erected at the site in 1946. For those who are interested, here is a copy of the July 10, 1946 Fitchberg Sentinal article reporting on the crash. They were returning from overseas, going home. They never quite made it. I know that all who died in that crash are flying in favorable tail winds. May you continue to rest in peace.

Back to the wildfire. According to news reports, the brush fire began at about 7 PM on Sunday night, November 8th. Darkness meant that firefighters pulled out to resume fighting the brush fire this morning. The fire, which burned approximately 18 acres is now contained. Speaking of I-91, smoke was visible from I-91 during the morning commute. I am reminded that it is fall here in the east with a lot of leaf litter on the ground with more to come, and it was breezy yesterday. Hopefully all the hotspots are or will soon be out so that fallen leaves will not be a problem. Firefighters from the Massachusetts Forest Fire Control and near by Holyoke worked the fire

News reports on the brush fire on Mt. Tom

• mass live, 10:44 AM on Nov 9th - with some must see photos of wildland firefighters working the fire
• 22News WWLP (with a couple of photos and a video report)
• boston dot com, 9 AM on Nov 9th - a couple of short videos 

B-17 from WW II speaks

I wrote a series on the B-17 in March of 2011 focusing on her military history, the first article in this series (March 21, 2011) may be found here. Prior to writing this series, I did a lot of reading about the role of the B-17 and her crew during WW II. I was profoundly moved by the stories that I read. Just this morning, thanks to a friend, I came across the video I have embedded above. You will learn a little about Marvin Skubick a WW II B-17 pilot who made it back home after flying 35 missions. He shares a little and then takes a flight on the Yankee Lady, a restored B-17.

I found the video very moving. Thanks Marvin!

B-17 and B-25 over AZ

H5 - WWII Bombers over Arizona Landscape from H5 Productions on Vimeo.

Here is a nice video showing a restored B-17 and B-25 in action over Arizona. I thought that this would be a nice way to wrap up the series of the B-17's service as a tanker. For more on the video, see this vimeo page. If I am not mistaken, both aircraft in this video are owned by the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. If that is the case, then the B-17 that you are seeing is Sentimental Journey formerly seeing service as a fire bomber for Aero Union.

This is one of my favorite videos. Enjoy.

Added on February 1, 2017. I had to make a couple of changes to get the embed code to the video to work, it should now work in your browser. If it does not, just click on H5 - WWII Bombers over Arizona Landscape to go to the vimeo page where you can watch the video

Letter to B-17 air tankers

Letter to B-17 air tankers:

I wish that I could go back in time to see the first  time you flew as a tanker back in 1960, probably somewhere in or near California. I don't know what fire you flew on, but it doesn't really matter. More of your kin came into service, so by the mid 1960s there were many of you flying fires, carrying 1,800 gallons of retardant. 

The 1960s were still the early days in the air tanker business. There were many tanker crashes and some of your kin were lost, but those of you who survived continued to fly fires. 

You were built for stability so you were difficult to turn. Tanker flying always requires thinking ahead and knowing an escape route. Your pilots had to plan way ahead, but you kept flying fires.

You were not the fastest tanker in the fleet but in some cases you carried more retardant than the faster tankers. You got to the fire, made your drop, and got back to the base to get another retardant load, because you wanted to fly fires.

You flew a long time, for something like 25 years. That is a long time in the tanker business. Some of you are restored as warbirds, in WW II configurations. You continue to be loved and a part of our culture.

Today, you stand as testament to your designers, builders and the brave people who crewed you.  You are a much decorated veteran of two wars, one foreign and one domestic. Your service to the fire fighting community will not be forgotten.

More to come on B-17 service as an airtanker

I had the best intentions of writing the next article in my series on the B-17's service as an airtanker for posting today. I am hoping to post this next article either the end of this week or early next week. Thanks to all you wonderful people for your patience.

B-17G - Memphis Belle (1999 Movie), David Tallichet - Military Aircraft Restoration Corp. Bureau # 44-83546-A

The third (of three) B-17s use as air tankers that I am writing about is a B-17, N3703G, that iwas owned by the Military Aircraft Restoration Corp in August 2011 when I first posted this article. I don't know if the name Military Aircraft Restoration Corp. is recognizable to many of you. I was interested in this particular B-17 because I knew that she was purchased by David Tallichet. Tallichet died in 2007, here is a short obituary from the LA Times (11/11/07) .

Now I knew that this particular B-17 that David Tallichet through the Military Aircraft Restoration Corp. purchased and later restored was used in the 1990 movie, Memphis Belle, see this piece of imdb Memphis Belle movie trivia. Actually, according to another piece of Memphis Belle movie trivia from imdb, she was one of two B-17s that played the Memphis Belle. But I digress.

The MARC was a nice website for the "The Movie" Memphis Belle with a short article about the history of this Fortress aircraft including her service as an air tanker, what they refer to as a water bomber. You will see  that the MARC B-17 was indeed flown as an airtanker, first by Fast Way Air as T-78 who first flew her as an air tanker in 1960; and later by TBM. She flew as an air tanker until she was purchased by MARC sometime in 1982.

As I revise this article on December 29, 2021 the restoration of the Memphis Belle was completed in 2018 and is on exhibit at The Museum of the US Air Force with good entry page for the Memphis Belle on their website which I just accessed here (with links where you can go for more information). She is going on 

B-17G Flying Fortress - "Sentimental Journey", Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force Bureau # 44-83514 (note 1)

The "Sentimental Journey", owned by the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (AWCAF) is on my list of three because Aero Union (who currently flies the P-3 Orion tanker on national contract) operated her as an air tanker. That is, I wanted to included a B-17 who saw service as an air tanker under a name you might recognize. So, I contacted my aviation historian friend, Tom Janney, who told me about the B-17 air tanker, "T-17'". Thanks Tom!

Her military service including photo mapping, rescue operations and nuclear testing. After completing her military service she was put in storage before being purchased by Aero Union (or a predecessor?) and converted to service as an airtanker some time around 1960. She flew as an air tanker through the 1977 fire season (or there about) before being donated to the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. For a more complete history of this aircraft please see the the AWCAF page on Sentimental Journey. (link no longer available as of September 4, 2017). I did find a nice wikipedia page on the Sentimental Journey that you might be interested in.

Note 1: The Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force lists the Bureau (serial) number of "Sentimental Journey" as 44-85314 on their information page for Sentimental Journey (this is a dead link when I checked on September 4, 2017). However, checking a couple of other sources of warbirds information including Joe Baugher's page on US Army-Airforce Aircraft Serial Numbers listed the Bureau (serial) number as 44-83514. On December 29, 2021 I went to the FAA Aircraft Inquiry main search page and after entering the serial number (Bureau (serial) number of 44-83514) I was able to see her registration. Unfortunately I can not provide a direct link to my results, so you will have to trust me.

B-17G Flying Fortress - "Nine O Nine", Collings Foundation Bureau # 44-43575

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

B-17 service as an air tanker

I first got interested in the B-17 about a year ago when in the course of my reading, wonderings on the internet and discussions with tanker pilot friends that the B-17 was used as an air tanker for many years up until the early to mid-1980s. I understand from my good friend and aviation historian, Tom Janney, that there were upwards of 20+ B-17s in service as air tankers at various times. I then purchased a videobook called Fire Bombers in Action, by Frederick A. Johnsen last year (a great addition to my library!) who writes of historical and current airtankers, including the B-17, including a listing of tanker call signs and registrations in his Appendices. Johnsen lists 22 B-17s in his listing of tanker call signs and registrations (p.123).

I am starting this series on the B-17's service as an airtanker with three posts on three different B-17 tankers (7/27, 7/29, and 8/1).

I will conclude the series with a post or two where I will write about what I have learned about the B-17's service as a tanker through researching this series. I hope to be able to provide some more specific information from tanker pilots who flew the B-17, but that may have to wait for some time in the future. At the time of this writing, I am still working on this specific article(s).

I'd like to offer the following acknowledgements and thanks to the people, book, and websites that have made this series possible:

*Tom Janney (aviation historian),

* Philip Wallick, Photographer, see his website, aircraft military dot com.  At the time I wrote this article in August 2011, I accessed his aforementioned website which is no longer when I last checked on September 4, 2017. He did a great 1 hour video "Fire Bomber" on historic tankers (1985?) that includes awesome footage of many historic firebombers including but not limited to the F7f, A-26, B-17, TBM Avenger. As I understand it, it is only available on VHS tape, and I purchased a copy on or about June 2011 (edited on September 4, 2017).

• Fire Bombers in Action, by Frederick A. Johnsen (copyright 2010), published by Specialty Press.
• Warbird Registry, a wonderful site with information on many, many different types of warbirds including the B-17. You could spend hours on this site, I know I have, mostly on various warbirds that later saw service as air tankers.
• Collings Foundation (Owner of the B-17 now known as "Nine O Nine") I have had the privilege of chatting with a couple of their volunteers, all of whom were very helpful. 
• Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (AWCAF) (owner of the B-17 now known as "Sentimental Journey")
• "The Movie" Memphis Belle B-17, This was a great site when I accessed it in 2011, sadly the site is no longer available so I removed the link.

RIP Liberty Belle (B-17, 44-85734) - crew and passengers ok!!

Direct link to video

Many of you no doubt already know that on Monday June 13 the B-17 Flying Fortress, Liberty Belle, made an emergency landing just outside of Auroa IL. Thanks to skilled piloting there were no fatalities. All seven occupants, including the crew, got out safely. Sadly, what started as a smaller fire in the left wing necessitating the emergency landing turned into a larger fire (after the occupants were safely off the plane). Some of you may have seen pictures and videos of what is left of the Liberty Belle after the fire, much of the fuselage between the wings and the tail section was destroyed by the fire.

The NTSB is investigating the incident.

I am only now posting about the loss of the Liberty Belle Flying Fortress. I am not ashamed to say that I wept when I finally saw the pictures and videos the other day. After spending many weeks learning about, and then writing about the B-17, my love for the Forts continues to grow.

I have never seen the Liberty Belle up close and personal, but I want to remember her flying proudly as shown in the video that I have embedded here. So, I am not posting links to the many photos and videos taken during and after the fire that consumed her after her emergency landing.

The Liberty Belle Flying Fortress (44-86734) was lovingly restored over a fifteen year period by the Liberty Foundation. It was only after the restoration that she flew as the Liberty Belle. The original "Liberty Belle" flew in the 390th Bomb Group in WW II. She completed 64 combat missions before being salvaged in early 1945. To read more about her story you might want to see the Liberty Belle History page, here.

The Chief Pilot of the Liberty Foundation, Ray Fowler, made a statement on the home page of the Liberty Foundation webpage on June 14 about the loss of the Liberty Belle. At the time I write this (on June 17), the statement may be found here. I am including an excerpt from Ray's statement:

Let me go on the record by thanking the flight crew for their professionalism. Their actions were nothing short of heroic and their quick thinking, actions and experience led to a “successful” outcome to this serious in-flight emergency. John and Bud (and Cullen) did a remarkable job under extreme circumstances and performed spectacularly. While the leading news stories have repeatedly reported the “crash” of our B-17, fact is they made a successful forced landing and the aircraft was ultimately consumed by fire. Airplanes are replaceable but people are not and while the aircraft’s loss is tragic, it was a successful result.

This leads me into discussing the exceptional safety record of the Boeing B-17 and to hopefully squash the naysayers who preach we should not be flying these types of aircraft. Since we first flew the “Liberty Belle” in December of 2004, we have flown over 20,000 passengers throughout the country and if you count our historic trip to Europe in 2008, worldwide. Of the other touring B-17s, some of which that have been touring for over 20 years, they have safely flown hundreds of thousands of people. (obtained from http://www.libertyfoundation.org/index.html on 6/17/11)

Cullen, a volunteer with the Liberty Foundation took off in his T-6 just after the Liberty Belle, flying chase (to support the B-17). He did a lot of radio work and other things in support of the crew of the Liberty Belle and Air Traffic Control while the incident was under way.

Again at the time I write this, the Liberty Foundation has a photo page and a page with videos.

In closing, while I grieve what may be the loss of the Liberty Belle, I want to commend the pilots, John Hess (left seat) and Bud Sittig (right seat) for bringing her down in a wheels down emergency landing. To John and Budd and the passengers, you watched her burn after you got out. I can't begin to imagine what that was like. Cullen, great job! To all involved in the Liberty Foundation, words escape me.

I know that the Liberty Belle is flying in favorable tail winds in the great beyond, that she was and will continue to be loved. Her work and the work of the Liberty Foundation will go on.

B-17 - post WW II uses

Some USAAF B-17's were not used as bombers, rather the B-17H, later known as the SB-17G, were modified for use in search and rescue operations. A lifeboat was carried on the belly of the plane that was dropped by a parachute to downed airmen. Armament was deleted after the end of WW II only to be added back during the Korean War. For more information, see this fact sheet from the National Museum of US Air Force on the Boeing B-17H. On December 29, 2021 I noted that the link about the Boeing B-17 H that I referenced here is no longer working and I am so far not able to find another link for you. I live this dead link here as a reference for where I found this information in 2011.

After WW II ended, most surviving USAAF B-17s were flown back to the U.S., stored in aviation boneyards and were eventually scrapped. But some were not. For example, the US Air Force used some B-17s as drones and control drones in nuclear testing and other forms of weapons testing, reconnaissance, transport, engine test beds, and trainers. For more information see this page from the National Museum of US Air Force on Boeing B-17G Variants.

Added on September 4, 2017, the link that I accessed in April 2011 for Boeing B-17-G variants on the National Museum of US Air Force website is no longer available. Some post-war history of the B-17 is available on Wikipedia' article on the B-17.

The last B-17 to retire from service in the US Airforce was Piccadilly Lilly II, she retired in 1959 and is reported to be in the process of being restored to flying condition.

A few B-17s (known as PB-1W) saw service in the U.S. Navy, mostly for anti-submarine surveillance. Modifications included the addition of a radar and extra fuel tanks (Jablonski 1965 38-9). Go here for more information. As I understand it, these Naval PB-1W's saw service through the middle of the 1950s.

The U.S. sold some B-17s to other countries after the end of WW II.

Some B-17s that saw post WW II military service were later used as firebombers, I'll get to firebombers in a later series of articles. A couple of B-17s including one or two that were used as firebombers were used in movies or television. Wikipedia has a list of surviving B-17s, both those currently in the U.S. as well as those that are in other countries, this list may be found here. In addition, the main Wikipedia article on the B-17 includes sections on post WW II uses as well as foreign operators of the B-17.

I will be writing a shorter series of articles on the B-17s service as a firebomber. I need a little more time (perhaps a week o two) as I am still gathering some information.

A look inside a B-17 bomber

I've still got a little more work to do on other uses of the B-17 and her post WW II history. I thought that you might enjoy taking a look inside two restored B-17 bombers, the Commemorative Air Force's B-17 known as the Sentimental Journey and the Collings Foundation's B-17 that I knew as the Nine O Nine.

Edited on September 4, 2017 to revise some links.



Direct link to video


Direct link to video

B-17 in WW II - many did not come home

For all those who never made it home. From any war. Both videos contain some poignant and graphic footage, (stills in video 1 and video footage in the second video) of fatally wounded B-17s on their way down.


Direct link to video


Direct link to video

B-17 in WW II - maintenance

Just as important as the pilots and the rest of the crew were the maintenance crews on the ground who often worked by night to get the B-17 under their care ready for the next bombing run. Theirs was a labor love. There were times when parts were in short supply, especially early in the War. This necessitated the need to cannibalize B-17s that were no longer airworthy for parts.

Even B-17's that were temporarily out of service waiting for parts to arrive were at risk of being cannibalized. Early in the war in the pacific theater, a B-17 was out of service for one month waiting for a new engine. It was at least a month before a replacement engine arrived. During this time, parts were taken off this plane and used to keep other B-17's flying. The situation got so bad that the crew chief in charge of this particular B-17 had permission to guard the plane with a gun. The new engine eventually arrived (Freeman 1977 65-6).

Roger Freeman has a chapter where George Cuda, a flight chief with the 600th Bomb Squadron. He oversaw the maintenance operations of the B-17s in his squadron. Cuda describes the special relationship that a mechanic had with his B-17"

"Crew chiefs became very attached to their B-17s and there was quite a competition as to who would knock up the most missions without an abort for mechanical reasons. Some wouldn't take any leave because they didn't trust others looking after their plane The boys took it pretty hard if the lost a B-17 they had nurse for a good number of missions. When you almost lived night and day with your plane it was more than just a machine to you. I remember one of my crew chiefs, Joe Goeller, had a Fort that went 5 missions before being lost after a raid on Merseburg. He nearly cried when that B-17 crashed. Freeman 1977 163)"

Next up:

April 8: Some don't make it back
April 11: other military service and post WW II

Reference:

Roger A. Freeman. 1977. B-17 Fortress at War. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons

B-17 in WW II - Memphis Belle

Direct link to video from the Library of Congress

Perhaps one of the best known of the Fortresses was the Memphis Belle. Her crew was the first to complete 25 missions during WW II. Some of you may have seen the movie of the same name based in part on the story of the Memphis Belle. I understand that aspects of the movie were fictionalized, see this wikipedia article For example, the names of the crew were changed in the movie. The pilot of the Memphis Belle in WW II was Robert Morgan.

There is a decent article on Memphis Belle B-17 on wikipedia including a list of the 25 missions flown by the Morgan crew. The Museum of the US Air Force has an exhibit (opened in 2018) devoted to the Memphis Belle, go here for more information about the exhibit on the Memphis Belle with more links. 

Here is a 2018 video from the EAA of the unveiling of the Memphis Belle exhibit.

Direct link to video on YouTube

I am doing some rearranging of this first group of articles on the B-17, I'll be back in a couple of days with my next article and a revised list of these first set of articles focusing on the WW II service of the B-17.

edited on December 29, 2021: many of the links in my original 2011 article and later changes are invalid. The videos and links that I provide here were valid at the time I updated this article.