What's amazing to me is these men were 18-19 years old. The Captain was considered an old man at 25. Not only did these men stay in their assigned areas for hours on end, the B-17 wasn't pressurized. They call them the "greatest generation" for a reason. Mad respect.
My great grandfather was the Ball turret gunner on a B-17 and was even shot down behind enemy lines, somehow he managed to get out of the turret grab a chute and bail out of the plane. He landed safely and was smuggled back to England by the underground.
Thanks for the video ! I can’t imagine getting a real air fight inside this plane, the young mans who did it back in the days were a real heroes. What a spirit, what a bravery… Greeting from Russia.
Curious question, I've noticed a lot of ww2 era bombers have vertical stabilizers shaped like that. Is/was there a reason they're not just a hard edged triangle?
@@griffithwes0074 thanks, I really love jets, and I want to learn about them, luckily I'm only 14, so i have plenty of time to spend learning about aircrafts
My Dad was 17. He lied about his age to join the Army Air Core. He was a radio operator on the B-17 during WWII. His plane was shot down by ME-109. He survived, and was captured by Germans. He was a P.O.W. for 1.5 years.
Another correction: it was called the Flying Fortress not because of its guns (and early models were anemic in terms of defensive armament), but because it was seen as a way to protect America’s coasts beyond the range of the old way of doing so, using coastal fortresses.
The B-17G I'm standing behind is the 909! She went down in Windsor Locke CT in 2019 due to engine failure! She belonged to the Collins foundation! My those that lost their lives that day, RIP!
According to statistical data the ball turret was the safest place in the plane, waist gunners were most likely to die and rear gunner just after them :D
What's amazing to me is these men were 18-19 years old. The Captain was considered an old man at 25. Not only did these men stay in their assigned areas for hours on end, the B-17 wasn't pressurized. They call them the "greatest generation" for a reason. Mad respect.
❤
one of the major cause of injury was frostbite !
My great grandfather was the Ball turret gunner on a B-17 and was even shot down behind enemy lines, somehow he managed to get out of the turret grab a chute and bail out of the plane. He landed safely and was smuggled back to England by the underground.
Interesting story! That's sounds incredible he was able to survive being hit.
Thanks for the video ! I can’t imagine getting a real air fight inside this plane, the young mans who did it back in the days were a real heroes. What a spirit, what a bravery… Greeting from Russia.
Curious question, I've noticed a lot of ww2 era bombers have vertical stabilizers shaped like that. Is/was there a reason they're not just a hard edged triangle?
aesthetics ? why have a straight line when you could have a beautiful curve ?
Thanks!
Saw her in the pattern while I was driving along sprinkle road that day...magnificent bird
Nice, where do you learn the information about these planes tho?
You can always learn in books and on Wikipedia. Plus he’s experienced and knows what he’s looking at.
@@griffithwes0074 thanks, I really love jets, and I want to learn about them, luckily I'm only 14, so i have plenty of time to spend learning about aircrafts
@@pumpkin8222 always glad to help! And use that time wisely!
Thanks for sharing, appreciate it a lot 👍
Greets from the Netherlands, T.
My grandpa wasn't apart any b17 crew but he was part of a fighter escort
Your Grandfather helped men like my Father stay safe. I'm forever grateful.🇺🇸
Un avion de corta vida..sin forro interior ,las balas pasaban de un lado a otro..cero proteccion para los tripulantes...pocas esperanzas de volver..
How often do they come to wright Patt?
Great to see inside the aircraft. Not a very technical commentary tbh.
My Dad was 17. He lied about his age to join the Army Air Core. He was a radio operator on the B-17 during WWII. His plane was shot down by ME-109. He survived, and was captured by Germans. He was a P.O.W. for 1.5 years.
Heck und Kugelturmschütze hatten die gefährlichsten Positionen gehabt.
Another correction: it was called the Flying Fortress not because of its guns (and early models were anemic in terms of defensive armament), but because it was seen as a way to protect America’s coasts beyond the range of the old way of doing so, using coastal fortresses.
Who's from Masters of the air
The top turret gunner was also the flight engineer.
It makes me absolutely sick that the Yankee Air Museum sold her to someone in California. Then he's shipping it to New Zealand.... 😭
So cool, I hope you get inside of a b-29 one day
The B-17G I'm standing behind is the 909! She went down in Windsor Locke CT in 2019 due to engine failure! She belonged to the Collins foundation! My those that lost their lives that day, RIP!
According to statistical data the ball turret was the safest place in the plane, waist gunners were most likely to die and rear gunner just after them :D
I cant imagine trying to get out of one in an emergency. 🙁
exactly !
I'd love to fall off that walkway onto the bomb bay doors at 5000ft wearing a chute 🤣
I can’t believe I flew in The Yankee Lady in 2013 and forgot to bring a camera 😂
My great grandpa whas a. Pilot
im early
The nice halibut immediately move because vegetable conversantly extend atop a white night. expensive, lovely chance
wot you smokin' dude ???