Friday Fun: TBM Avenger and Other Historic Aircraft Saluting Veterans

 For this week's Friday Fun I am sharing a nineteen minute video that I will embed below. The video is from Airshow Stuff Videos of a 2024 Airshow of a TMB Avenger gathering and salute to Veterans around Memorial Day 2024. I am not sure where this airshow was. TBM Avengers were used in aerial firefighting, my tagged articles on the Avenger may be found here (most recent first). See for example my July 26th 2010 introduction to a series on the TBM Avenger, please note that some of the links in this series are expired but with the help of a friend I hope that the introduction provides a brief overview of the Avenger. The World War Aviation Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado has a nice page with history and specifications of the TBM Avenger that may be found on this page. 

You will see other historic aircraft in this video.

Enjoy, the video is just over nineteen minutes

Direct link to video from AirShowStuffVideos on YouTube

Friday Fun: P-51 Mustang (dual seat) flying over NJ shore

 In looking for a fun aviation to share with you for Friday Fun I did a search on YouTube on flying over the NJ shore and saw this 2016 video from a passenger on a dual seat P-51 Mustang "Betty Jane" from the Collings Foundation. I was intrigued by this 14 minute video and wanted to share this with you. You may want to read about the P-51 Mustang, "Betty Jane" on this page from the Collings Foundation. You will see the pilot introducing the P-51 to his passenger before taking off on their flight over the New Jersey shore. The Collings Foundations takes their historic planes on tours around the United States, and I have visited them in New Jersey a couple of times over the last several years I was privileged to see Betty Jane up close and in person.

Direct link to video by  Duke JJZ on YouTube

KC-135 Stratotanker "The Flying Tiger" has left New Jersey

Fairly soon after I started blogging on aerial wildland firefighting I first learned about the KC-135 Stratotanker, flown by the U.S. Airforce as well as other international operators. I don't quite recall my what my friend told me about the KC-135, but I did know that she had almost no use in aerial wildland firefighting and that her primary use was for mid-air refueling and hauling cargo. This factoid got me interested so as I was perusing various aviation videos, especially military aviation, I would pay attention to mid-air refueling such as the time the U.S. navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds did flyovers of some major metropolitan areas in April 2020 to honor healthcare workers during COVID, here is my article on the flyover in NY, NJ, and PA in April 2020. I believe, but am not certain that I saw a mid-air refueling while I was watching either the videos I shared or some other videos of flyovers in the U.S. that I did not share. The 108th Refueling Wing at McGuire Air Force Base used to have several KC-135 Stratotankers, the last one, known as the Flying Tiger, departed on September 20th for her next duty assignment in Bangor, Maine. While I did know that there were KC-135 Stratotankers at McGuire, I am embarrassed to say that I did not about the Flying Tiger with her distinctive black and orange colors and New Jersey logo on the tail. The black and orange colors were to honor Hobey Baker, a Princeton graduate who was a decorated fighter pilot in World War 1. Baker died shortly after WWI ended. 

New Jersey Advance Media has a nice article on the send off of the Flying Tiger to Banger, written on October 1st, the article may be found here (it should be freely available). Here is an excerpt from the October 1st article about the Flying Tiger, Lawler is Lt. Col Chris Lawler who commanded the Flying Tiger's final flight out of McGuire to Bangor Maine:

Built in 1960, the plane dubbed the “flying tiger” is the last of a group of KC-135 model of Stratotanks that was attached to the 108th Refueling Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The Stratotank, which Lawlor described as a “workhorse,” has a boom that attaches a line to another plane for refueling in the air, a neat maneuver at 20,000 feet when you’re flying at 300 knots (about 345 mph).

With more than 60 years in the air, the KC-135 has seen action in Vietnam, Kosovo, and all the conflicts in the Middle East: the Persian Gulf War, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. With its huge cargo space, the KC-135 has also been used for medical evacuation and to deliver humanitarian aid. Among its missions, the KC-135 spent several weeks delivering pallets of bottled water to New Orleans in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina.

McGuire's KC-135 Stratotankers have been replaced with the newer KC-46.

Friday Fun: Military Airplanes Flyovers Compiliation

Time for more Friday Fun, with an aviation focus. Enjoy this compilation of military aircraft flyovers from Argunners Magazine. You will see: Spitfires, B-17s, P-51s, T-6 Texans in formation, C-47s, F4U, and an XP-82 Twin Mustangs. Allow a little over 7 minutes to view this compilation.

Direct link to video from Argunners Magazine

RIP General Chuck Yeager

General Chuck Yeager died December 6th in Los Angeles California, here is an obit from the New York Times.

I do not recall exactly when I first learned that General Chuck Yeager was the first to break the sound barrier. However, it does seem like I have always known about General Yeager. I first watched the movie, All the Right Stuff where Sam Shepard portrayed General Yeager sometime in the mid to late 1980s on video tape. Sometime early in my interested in aviation and early one writing this blog on aerial wildland firefighting, I came across General Yeager's autobiography, Yeager, in a now defunct bookstore. I was very eager to read books by or about pilots because it was and still a way that I can fly and learn about flying. So, I bought the book which I enjoyed and have read a couple of times since then. 

I have a tremendous amount of respect for you, General Yeager, and your role in aviation history. Thank-you for all that you did in aviation, for bringing us into the faster than sound era. And you continued in military aviation for years after you broke the sound barrier. May you always fly in favorable winds.

Here are two short videos honoring General Yeager that I think honors him and his role in aviation history.

Direct link to video from that National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Museum

Direct link to video from CBC

Memorial Day 2020

I want to take a time out today and pause to remember all those who died serving your country. I remember the families that you left behind.


Direct link to video on Youtube

Friday Fun: P-51 Mustangs "My Little Friends"

Enjoy these videos of P-51 Mustangs.


Direct link to video on Youtube


Direct link to video on Youtube

Friday Fun: Fun airplane videos

I don't know about you, but in light of the Novel Corona Virus pandemic and how that this is impacting the lives of some of us, myself included, I feel like doing something fun and aviation related in this post.

So I am posting two of my favorite fun aviation videos.

The first one, slightly more serious, shows two beautiful restored WW II era aircraft, a B-17 and a B-25 flying over Arizona. If you are accessing this post on a computer, for full effect click on the link to go to Vimeo to watch in landscape mode.


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

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.

75th anniversary of D Day Invasion of Normandy

Sometime late at night on June 5 into June 6, 1944, 800 planes took off from Duxford in England to fly across the English Channel as a part of the Allied invasion of Normandy, France (D-Day). This year, 2019, marks the 75the anniversary of the D-Day. To mark this 75th anniversary of D-Day, 2 1historic aircraft -- including 15 DC-3s and C-47s from the United States -- took off from Duxford, England.

I will never forget what D-Day stands for, remembering all those young men who landed and then died at Normandy, especially those in the first wave. Other young men lived to land at and fight at Normandy, slowly working their way inland. I share this 12-minute video of these 21 aircraft that took off from Duxford, England to honor all those who fought and died at Normandy. According to this fine article from the AOPA (including a must see slideshow) at least four of the aircraft participating in the 75th anniversary commemoration of D-Day flew in the 1944 invasion: That's All Brother who led the way in 1944 and again this year, D-Day Doll, Placid Lassie, and Virginia Ann. I saw the first three within the first couple of minutes of the video. I saw Virginia Ann later on. I don't know about you, but I found this video very moving.


Direct link to Daks over Normandy on Youtube

There is a lot written about the 75th anniversary of D-Day. I am sharing three articles that I liked, note that there is a paywall for the New York Times and the Washington Post but you are allowed a few free visits each month.

New York Times, brief history of D-Day and Putlizer Prize winning Ernie Pyle (June 5, 2019)
New York Times, photo essay of 1944 invasion (June 6, 2019)
Washington Post (May 30, 2019) Barry Svriuga writes about the secret journal his Grandfather kept on his experiences on D-Day in 1944

Memorial Day 2019

On this day when we celebrate Memorial Day here in the United States, I pause to remember all in the military in the United States and around the world who died in service to their country. I thank you for your service and remember your family and loved ones whom were left behind.


Direct link to video on Youtube


Direct link to video on Youtube

Remembering the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941

At some point in my youth, perhaps when I was in high school. I asked my parents what they remembered about the day Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked. As I recall, and acknowledging that memory can sometimes be unreliable, both of my parents knew exactly where they were when they heard about the attack. I wish I could say that I remember what they told me. But that isn't important. What is important is that they remembered.

One of my grandfathers, an officer in the U.S. Army, served in the war. My other grandfather was a civilian who worked in the aeronautical industry supporting the air war. I thank them for their service.

I to remember, not in the same day that my parents and those of their generation did, but I remember.

And #WeRemember

So, because #WeRemember, I share this video from the US Army that they uploaded to youtube for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.


Direct link to video on Youtube uploaded by the U.S. Army

RIP George H. W. Bush: WWII Naval Aviator and 41st President

Today, I pause to remember the passing of George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States. He was the last President who served in World War II. He served as a naval aviator. I understand that he is wearing his airplane socks.

I expect that most of you in the U.S. have heard by now of his service in World War II and that his plane was shot down in the Pacific.

President Bush, may you fly in favorable tail winds.

Even if you are familiar with President Bush's World War II service, please take three minutes to listen to his son, Neil Bush, talk about his Father's military service.

Updated on December 20, 2020: the video that I shared when I first posted this article is no longer available.

D- Day remembrances

For Frank, you were there at D-Day. And for your wife Rose who stayed at home waiting for you. And you came home and had a long and happy life together.



Direct link to Youtube video from Time


Direct link to video from Sky News

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.

B-17 in WW II - stories in pictures and video

I am profoundly moved by the accounts of the crews of the B-17 (and the B-24) during WW II. Words escape me. But one picture or video is worth a thousand words, so I offer two videos. Thanks to Airboyd TV for the fist video on the 12th Airforce, and thanks to FuntimeSteve for the second video, B-17 8th Airforce Tribute,


Direct link to video


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Direct link to video