3D Printing

War Bird: B-17 Boeing Fortress

10/02/2019:  

For those who love aviation and enjoy seeing the old WWII “war birds” at various flyovers, static displays, or at airshows, the inherent danger involved with these marvelous but aging aircraft came true today at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.   

The B-17 Boeing Fortress, tail number 231909, sponsored by "Wings of Freedom Tour," had an inflight emergency, while carrying paying enthusiasts on a thirty-minute flight, which resulted in a crash at Bradley International Airport.  Unfortunately, at least seven passengers and aircrew were killed and another seven were injured. 

    

Over the past several years I had the pleasure of photographing the old war bird at Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, CA while on display.  To hear the deep-throated roar of the four reciprocating engines as the big blades cut through the air as the B-17 passed overhead was thrilling.   Seeing this aircraft and knowing that men and women of the greatest generation designed, manufactured and then flew these machines during World War II gave me a great amount of respect and reverence for the aircraft and those who made it happen.  

And now, like the passing of many old vets, this veteran aircraft is now history.  What caused the crash, who knows?  Mechanical, of course; fatigue? Loss of power?  Something didn’t go right and listening to the pilot’s radio transmission just before the crash didn’t betray anything unusual... total professionalism to the end.   Sad day for those who perished and were injured doing what they loved.

Here are some of my images from the visits to Palomar Airport.