JonS Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/news/local/chibrknews-crews-responding-to-incident-involving-wwii-bomber-20110613,0,5339638.story 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Ouch! Glad nobody was badly hurt. I must admit I feel a bit uneasy about these historic planes taking to the air. Yeah, I like to see them flying too, but is it worth losing one or more a year? Michael 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boo Radley Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Oh jeez... as soon as I saw the Square J, I realized it was the Liberty Belle, from the 390th. That was my dad's outfit, and I have a photo of the Belle by my worktable at home. Just glad no one was hurt. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rune Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 They were giving flights to people for 450.00 bucks for an hour. You got to sit in almost every position. Was going to get a flight for my eldest, glad I didn't. The plane is a complete write off. Rune 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD7B0cfTXlc&feature=related 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarink Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 While it's sad to see any restored warbird crash, I am greatly relieved that all aboard escaped without major injury. Hats off to the pilots for putting it down like they did in that cornfield. Not only is landing on a damp, plowed field hard enough, there were apparently some good sized obstructions (trees, poles, power lines) nearby that made it even more difficult. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RookieCAF Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 A tragic loss, but could have been far far worse. A big thumbs up to the flight crew for setting it down amid what I am sure is Kaos and that everyone got out without loss of life! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runyan99 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I too have mixed feelings about these warbirds staying in the air, as we do lose them one by one. Anectodally, it seems to me the multiengine types are far more dangerous and volatile than the fighters. I guess the thing is, somebody owns these, and it is up to them what to do with the plane. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpie_Oz Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Sad as it is, there is only one way for a warbird to "go". Better than corroding in a field or being chopped up for saucepans. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunnergoz Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Sad as it is, there is only one way for a warbird to "go". Better than corroding in a field or being chopped up for saucepans. I wish I could agree but I can't find it in me to do so. I've seen too many hot dogging CAF goups and wealthy private pilots running crazy risks with these valuable bits of aviation history. Sure, they love them and no one wants to die in an aircraft crash but I know from personal observation that corners are cut in the maintenance end and the pilots are often past their prime or some are primed with...let's say, antifreeze. I trained as an aircraft mechanic in the mid-80's, had my FAA licenses to maintain a/c and what I saw at some airshows in Southern California permanently turned me off to the likes of the local CAF and other local "historical re-enactment" aviation groups. They were slipshod, careless, boastful fools some of them, playing with toys that were in some cases irreplaceable. Yes there are many that are serious collectors and restorers, but also quite a few that cut corners and fly for fun and "profit" rather than for the serious purpose of presenting a historical artifact to the public. As much as I love the sight, sound, smell and visceral feeling in your chest from the "heavy iron" overhead, I rue the day when they'll all be gone. I hope that more of the specimens are retired from flight and that the ones that do fly, do so less often and with more regard for safety and proper maintenance than I've seen in some of these groups. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpie_Oz Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Saucepans it is then Goz ! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunnergoz Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Saucepans it is then Goz ! Yes, and damn fine saucepans they'll be, mate. In fact, I'd love to have one in my kitchen. An AD Skyraider would do just fine, thank you. (Yes, I know it is post WW2 but it is my version of Viagra.) PS, if you are ever in Portland, Oregon, be sure to eat at The Bomber, a local restaurant famous for having a real B-17 on its roof. Food is average but the view is exceptional. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Dollars to donuts Liberty Belle will be flying again within 5, maybe 10, years. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunnergoz Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Dollars to donuts Liberty Belle will be flying again within 5, maybe 10, years. I personally doubt it and take your bet. A/C grade aluminum is not reliable after being subjected to this kind of heat and even the parts of the a/c not burned up are now no longer regarded as airworthy. The entire center of the a/c is gone, wing main box, spar and all. Restoration is one thing but building a full fuselage and wings to spec is something else. In WW2 the Navy was in the habit of tossing apparently intact a/c over the side of carriers, if the a/c had been too close to fires, for precisely this reason. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Dollars to donuts Liberty Belle will be flying again within 5, maybe 10, years. No. Parts of it maybe in other planes, but not LB itself. Michael 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergei Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Liberty Belle hasn't flown after 15 October 1944. No crew was injured. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vergeltungswaffe Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I can tell you that the $450 is worth it. My office is right across from a commuter airport that the Ghost Squadron often flies warbirds out of, north of Houston TX. It's a great experience, and well worth any risk, which is still less than the drive to the airport. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rune Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 More to the story, apparently it had a fuel leak that was repaired, this was a test flight and transfer going to indianapolis, when it took off and the outer pilot side engine caught fire. Obviously the repair job was an epic fail. Rune 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nachinus Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I have the luck to travel quite often to Cambridge (UK) which grants me the chance to visit Duxford airfield/museum (Imperial War Museum branch). I've attended several 'piece of history' flights and the awesome 'Flying Legends' airshow, with dozens of ww2 and 1930s airplanes flying and performing acrobatics over you. Heck, I've even had the chance to fly in a deHavilland Tiger Moth and take control for a few minutes. They have an airworthy B17 there, the one used to film Memphis Belle, IIRC, and they fly it in special occasions. It's an exhilarating sight for any aviation history aficionado. I love to see those birds flying. I support any bunch of crazy people who commits their time and $$$ to keep them flying, and I feel very sad about this loss. Luckily there were no victims. Excelent job by the pilot, btw. EDIT: My local aeroclub owns a Bücker Jungmann. I'm preparing for the private pilot license and I'm looking forward logging my first hours in that piece of history!. I know, I know, it's just a trainer and not as big and impressive as a B17, but still is a pretty old piece of wood and metal. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I am in favor of people building replicas of historical aircraft to use for flying exhibitions. The sensory experience can be just the same and it doesn't risk a piece of history. The real things belong in museums where they can be maintained in viewable condition. Michael 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 I personally doubt it and take your bet. A/C grade aluminum is not reliable after being subjected to this kind of heat and even the parts of the a/c not burned up are now no longer regarded as airworthy. The entire center of the a/c is gone, wing main box, spar and all. Restoration is one thing but building a full fuselage and wings to spec is something else. In WW2 the Navy was in the habit of tossing apparently intact a/c over the side of carriers, if the a/c had been too close to fires, for precisely this reason. As long as they get the manufacturers plate off the wreck, the rest is just fabrication and assembly. It'll fly again. A/c in much worse condition have been pulled out of South Pacific jungles after 40 or 50 years and returned to flying. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vergeltungswaffe Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Yep, its strictly a $ issue as to whether it will be restored, to flying condition or otherwise. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunnergoz Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 "A/c in much worse condition have been pulled out of South Pacific jungles after 40 or 50 years and returned to flying." But none of them were 4 engine bombers that had burned up, were they? Its one thing to rebuild a single-engine fighter and another to tackle a multi-engine a/c. Why do you think there's no Bettys or Frances flying around? Never in 9 years involvement in aviation maintenance did I ever see aviation aluminum components re-used after exposure to a catastrophic fire. That's why I think this a/c will be a near total write off. There may be a bidding war for some salvage parts by other B-17 restoration groups and that's how I think this bird will end up...parted out. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClarkWGriswold Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I can tell you that the $450 is worth it. My office is right across from a commuter airport that the Ghost Squadron often flies warbirds out of, north of Houston TX. It's a great experience, and well worth any risk, which is still less than the drive to the airport. I concur. I flew on Aluminum Overcast a few years ago. Some of the best money I ever spent, and I've never once regretted it. It really is a once in a lifetime experience that I'll never, ever forget. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjkerner Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Clark, I flew on A/O two years ago, too, and it certainly was worth every penny. Especially the 10 minutes in the nose. Extreme enjoyment! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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