B-17 Crash | FerrariChat

B-17 Crash

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by future328driver, Jun 13, 2011.

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  1. future328driver

    future328driver Formula 3

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    WGN in Chicago is reporting that a B-17 crashed near the Aurora, IL airport this morning.
     
    future328driver, Jun 13, 2011
    #1
  2. atomicskiracer

    atomicskiracer Formula 3

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    It was Liberty Belle...Very fortunate that everyone was alright, pretty bummed that the plane is a loss though..
     
    atomicskiracer, Jun 13, 2011
    #2
  3. Santiago Montenegro

    Santiago Montenegro F1 Rookie

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    Santiago Montenegro, Jun 13, 2011
    #3
  4. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Kills me to see one of my favorite planes meet its end. Plus, it happened just a stones throw from where I was born & raised... Sad stuff!
     
    David_S, Jun 13, 2011
    #4
  5. Crawler

    Crawler F1 Veteran

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    I saw her two years ago when she made a stop in Charleston. What a shame. Thank goodness everybody got out okay. Good job by the pilot, no doubt.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Crawler, Jun 13, 2011
    #5
  6. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

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    You know, I was (still am, I guess) all for keeping these relics of history in flying condition, but there is always the chance something like this will happen if we keep flying them.
    I guess I am now thinking we should keep at least one sample of each type on static display like the Smithsonian
    does.

    Good job by the pilot, as said above - to which I would add - good job by the aircraft too.
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2011
    James_Woods, Jun 13, 2011
    #6
  7. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    I haven't done a recent count, but there are about 15-20 flying B-17's with several more close to flying. I believe there are dozens beyond that in rough condition that potentially could fly with a bunch of money and time.

    Now really rare ones would be the single B-29 FiFi and only two B-24's.
     
    rob lay, Jun 13, 2011
    #7
  8. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

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    Yes, Rob - I know there are a few B-17s around.

    This one seemed to be a special loss though because of its war history.

    But, I was thinking more about planes of which there may only be one or two; for example I think that there are only 6 known WW2 Me-262 Jet fighters still in existence worldwide. To me it would seem to be insane to try to fly one of these (especially on the original engines).
     
    James_Woods, Jun 13, 2011
    #8
  9. ChipG

    ChipG Formula 3

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    I was in this plane a few years ago, very upsetting. Glad to hear all 7 people walked away.
     
    ChipG, Jun 13, 2011
    #9
  10. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

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    Kudos to the crew for an emergency landing harming no one on the ground and minimal crew injuries.
    Well done!!!

    As for the plane, I'm just sick. I look at the photos and think of the man-hours and treasure given that rebuilt and kept her running.
     
    snj5, Jun 13, 2011
    #10
  11. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran Consultant

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    I agree, Russ, a lot of treasure in many ways gone here. After looking at photos of the airplane passing overhead, that was not an engine fire but a wing fire. That area just outboard of number two appears to be behind the rear spar where there is a nest of fuel manifolds connecting two bladder tanks in that area and associated hoses that connect all the other tanks. There is also an electric flap motor in that exact area so a leaking hose or fuel manifold would be bad news if they ran the flap motor and probably did after take off. There are supercharger intercooler controls forward of that fire but I don't think that anybody has that equipment operational anymore.
    It appears that they can salvage the R1820's, tho.
     
    Bob Parks, Jun 13, 2011
    #11
  12. MarkPDX

    MarkPDX F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa

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    13 flying examples now..... much smaller number that gives rides.
     
    MarkPDX, Jun 13, 2011
    #12
  13. Cozmic_Kid

    Cozmic_Kid F1 Veteran

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    Very sad :(
     
    Cozmic_Kid, Jun 13, 2011
    #13
  14. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran Consultant

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    I have been thinking about my initial impression of this incident and I still can't relate it to an engine problem because it's too far aft and in an area where there is a lot of things that can go wrong and leak if they aren't checked.
    The pilot did a great job of getting the airplane down in a nice corn field and I think of others that did the same thing in Germany and France during the war.
     
    Bob Parks, Jun 13, 2011
    #14
  15. MBFerrari

    MBFerrari F1 Veteran

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    There is a B-29 in the Udvar Hazy Smithsonian museum, but no B-17...there has to be one in some museum right?

    MB

     
    MBFerrari, Jun 13, 2011
    #15
  16. dmaxx3500

    dmaxx3500 Formula 3

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    dmaxx3500, Jun 13, 2011
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  17. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    sorry to here,must be a fab sight to see land and fly.
     
    Arvin Grajau, Jun 14, 2011
    #17
  18. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

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    Very sad.

    Pete
     
    PSk, Jun 14, 2011
    #18
  19. JohnnyS

    JohnnyS F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    JohnnyS, Jun 14, 2011
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  20. GIOTTO

    GIOTTO F1 Rookie Consultant

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    GIOTTO, Jun 14, 2011
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  21. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    James_Woods, Jun 14, 2011
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  22. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    yes, there are a few display only that could be made flyable.
     
    rob lay, Jun 14, 2011
    #22
  23. Cozmic_Kid

    Cozmic_Kid F1 Veteran

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    So technically it could even have been saved. This is even sadder.
     
    Cozmic_Kid, Jun 14, 2011
    #23
  24. Michiel

    Michiel Formula 3

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    So sad.......saw this one in Duxford once......
     
    Michiel, Jun 14, 2011
    #24
  25. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Very sad. For all it survived and now this. It really underlines how much maintenance these things take to remain safe and airworthy especially at their age.

    I was at the 8th AF museum 3 days ago. They are in need of some parts for the restoration of theirs. I am sure what is left will be put to good use.
     
    Rifledriver, Jun 14, 2011
    #25
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