Excellent videos!! As a PPL student myself, I am always commenting to my Instructor when an ex WW2 airbase comes into view, how great it must have been to see it after a long flight back from the target(s).
@thomasredbaronevans I don't think they landed the planes with anyone in the turrets. I'm sure the pilot would have known to remove the gunner due to a landing gear failling.
Thank you uploader we have been trying to find some more history of santapod raceway and poddingtons air strip.
@fasted101 when the hydraulics failed sometimes it meant the chap in the ball turret couldnt get out as the ball wouldnt be able to move. hence a few chaps were crushed to death upon landing
@thomasredbaronevans Yes... cuse he didn't take 15 seconds out of his busy schedule to unstrap himself, open a hatch, climb into the fuselage and sit back for a nice cold one with the rest of the aircrew...
I'm a reporter and I'm going to be doing a story tomorrow about an airshow with B-17's. Would it be alright if I used this in my TV news story? Thanks.
@TheCanadian951 I saw it on the history channel on a documentary last year I think. It may have been the military channel. It was when they were airing WW2 footage and 60% of it was just uncovered and released last year or something..
@choppaholic26 He probably either got out or was dead already, the ball turret had a little door on the back that opened into the aircraft when the it was rotated to face straight down.
I am pretty sure this was taken while it was still in the 325th BS, 92 Bomb Group. Most Likely she was either repaired and flew, or if the damage was too much they would scrap it and use the parts on the other B-17's. From the video I would say she would have been repaired and flew again. I do know in 3/11/1944 she was transferred. Either to the 325th or coming from the 749th.
@ChelseaAllTheWay13 What about the British airmen? And the Polish, and French, and Australian, and Czech, and Canadian, and, well everyone else who contributed to the downfall of Hitler.
@BradBrassman And plenty of engines of other nationalities too, I was there a couple of years ago giving people trouser problems with the upper rev band of my LP640. Which is Italian. And about 10 years ago with a borrowed Bugatti T35, that 1920s straight 8 has more of a voice than any V8 I've heard.
@TheWierdFish Yeah, baby just sniff that smoke, and high octane fuel mixed in with the scent of cheap hot dogs 'N' fried onions. It dont get any better eh?
@BradBrassman Actually, given the choice I'd rather be at a proper circuit,exploring the ragged edges of a cars performance and tackling the laws of physics with a healthy dose of lunacy. Plus on a drag strip you can't decide to just let loose and start drifting.
@TheWierdFish Or maybe because they were landing on grass and the pilot wisely decided that landing gear would be useless or hazardous without an actual runway.
@49kasey I can see your reasoning, but it is far cheaper and quicker to flatten out a field than it is to build a proper runway and during WWII money and time was tight so aircraft frequently took off from grass strips, most fighter bases were and I believe some bomber bases were too. Plus when a grass field is bombed you can simply throw the dirt back in the hole and flatten it again whereas a concrete runway needs profesionally re-laying, and quick repairs are vital in war.
@TheWierdFish You have a point there. But the resistance and roughness of a grassy field tells me they'd have left the landing gear retracted rather than risk having even one collapse and cause a disaster. See how the plane is bucking? And how could the landing gear have been damaged after takeoff? The plane doesn't appear to have suffered any.
@49kasey For someone to have a camera there it was obviously a proper airfield, the aircraft is capable of landing and taking off regularly on grass strips with no danger. To not lower the gear out of choice would be foolish and dangerous. This aircraft must have lost at least one wheel to land like this. As to there being no visible damage, all it would take is one stray bullet to a hydraulic line and the entire gear could be U/S and cameras of this time were not of a high enough quality.
@TheWierdFish ...not of a high enough quality to capture a tiny bullet hole at that distance, even higer quality stills don't pick up detail that small.
What a landing... nothing short of spectacular....These gentlemen that flew these missions with the B-17, 24's and 25's were badass. I wonder if there is a setup/DL for this for the Flight Sim X?
Well landed, i have a video you may all like, i created it not long ago :).....have a look, it's a Tribute to the B-17, type in Tribute to the B-17 Flying Fortress
@jinto1980 Wow, ok, how shall I respond to such a childish and overreactive comment...I guess I could tell you to go fuck yourself aswell, but that wouldn't get us anywhere. You said something arrogant that is easily proven wrong if you had simply taken the 5 seconds to read Hunstanton29's comment. Instead you decided to embarrass yourself and then insult me for no particular reason. Come back and talk to me later when your period has stopped and you've pulled that huge stick out of your ass.
@24preacherboy They didn't all blow up just 'cos they had a belly landing. It would all depend on if the remainiing fuel or oxygen in the tanks was ignited, and/or if there were any "hang-ups" of bombs remaining in the plane. Check out the belly landing in 12 O'Clock High or The War Lover (same landing used in both) for a great example of how to belly land a B-17.
You won't believe this. I was walking down the street in Cambridge, Massachusetts one nice sunny day in the early 90's when up ahead I saw two WWII prop jobs flying side by side and banking. One was a B-17, the other was a B-24 I think. One of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen and it took me completely by surprise.
@cowboyhan That must have been beautiful to see them over all that open space! I was facing an undeveloped wide open area with buildings on the left but open space on the right and that's where they were banking. I saw a B-36 once in Maryland. It was very overcast; it came over low and LOUD! There was no mistaking the six rear-mounted props. When I was a kid I lived in Newmarket, NH and we had B-47's and B-52's flying by all the time, sometimes practicing refeuling with KC-135's.
@49kasey The Collings Foundation in Stowe Mass has had a flying B-17 and a B-24 for many years and they fly all over the country during the summer months. Those were probably the ones you saw.
Hi thanks for your interest no it was not possible to fly to the UK direct it was done in stages. Please enjoy more of the same on the rest of my channel.
During World War II, “12,000 heavy bombers were shot down in World War 2.” (source: world-war-2.info/facts/). To see more amazing videos and stats check out on You Tube TheFrontlinesStories or on the web The Frontlines.The mission of The Frontlines is: "To provide members of the armed forces, veterans, family and friends a platform to creatively share their stories from the frontlines."
I was delighted to find this! My father was the pilot on that B17! I remember seeing the photo of the crew in front of the plane when I was a kid! Thanks!
hi went to santa pod last weekend for the 1st time saw & read the memorial as we drove in thought i'd do a bit of research about the history of the base & found these vids through a few links absolutely fantastic & thanks for posting them also big thanks & respect to the many brave airmen of the USAF who gave their lives helping this country through its darkest years if any body is interested the "sally b" is flying at the iwm duxford on oct 10th 2010 to mark her 65th anniversary
hi went to santa pod last weekend for the 1st time saw & read the memorial as we drove in thought i'd do a bit of research about the history of the base & found these vids through a few links absolutely fantastic & thanks for posting them also big thanks & respect to the many brave airmen of the USAF who gave their lives helping this country through its darkest years if any body is interested the "sally b" is flying at the iwm duxford on oct 10th 2010 to mark her 65th anniversary
@gazrs2 Thank you for your comment, and we installed the 92nd Bomb Group Memorial in Airfield Road, Podington during a reunion in 1999 when many of the veterans returned. Regards John
In most WWII dogfight videos I saw German airplanes (Messerschmitt Bf 109, Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka") were chased and shot down, which leads me to the assumption that the practice of filming airfights and bombings were a common "Allied" one. Is this correct? Or has German footage been destroyed? Had it even never been existing?
My late uncle served on board this aircraft and was stationed at this base when he was in. I respect my late uncle for his service. He saw some things that he never talked about, while in this aircraft. He was in the 8th Air Force.
Had an uncle in the 92nd. He told a story of dropping the ball turret out of the aircraft on the way home. It was damaged by a 20mm round and could not depress enough to get the gunner out. After taking more hits as a straggler, found that gear would not go down. Jettetisoned the turret near a resuce launch. The gunner made it home a few days later.
two clips had to be undone in the middle of the yoke assembly holding the turret up they were below the O2 bottle holders for the turret , the electric and O2 leads had to disconnected as well...if you look at any restored B-17 you'll see them.(so now go do what I did and go take a look for yourself!..I'm sure no one reading this would need an arm twisting to go see a B-17..right?)
the whole assembly looks very rugged..I'm sure it would tear the fuselage if it were left in place
I am fortunate to live near a Flying Museum..(AAPM)on the weekends all the aircraft take to the air and visitng aircraft include the CWM Lancaster. nothing like cutting the grass and hearing a roar and looking up into the belly of that huge black monster speeding 500ft overhead on its final approach.or a Fort at the same altitude doing a slow turn as it heads for the airfield...Ive probalby seen every B-17 and B-24 still flying pass by..along with the CAF B-29..and an He-111..fun stuff!:)
Farmingdale NY,,20 minutes from NYC site of the former Republic Factory now an airport and home of the American airpower museum, if you click on my name there is a pic of me leaning on the Collings foundations B-17 while its being refueled at the museum i am sure there are videos on YT of Republic..they host the t-birds, the blue angels, red arrows snowbirds..place is amazing..the ww2 control tower is still there and is part of the exhibit..you can go to the top and watch!..it awesome.
my dad was in 388th bg, flew in several planes and said that the ball turret could be rotated from inside.
the gunner took off and landed in the airplane, not the turret.
on the brux mission he had to get the gunner out as he flipped out and was just goin in circles shooting. he sat him at the tail wheel and put a blanket on him.
btw, if u see in flight photos with the guns pointed down, the gunner is in the plane.
@johosjokers, I read an account in "Wild Blue" by Stephen Ambrose of a B24 of the 741st Squadron that had to make a belly landing with the hydraulics shot out, the ball turret was jammed and the gunner was unable to rotate his turret to get out. The aircraft circled the base and eventually, damaged and almost out of fuel, had to land, crushing the gunner in his turret. He knew what was coming and there was nothing anyone could do about it. True bravery and tragedy.
this is a B-17G-20-BO of the 92nd BG(triangle B) 325 Bomb Squadron (code NV)..I looked the serial 42-31613 up and has no listing for it..-12 and -14 are there..but not -13...which means the MACR or final disposition paperwork hasent been found yet..I refered the researcher to this video..the Base air depots worked miriacles with these planes..likely it flew again
I looked in Cliff Bishop's Fortresses of the Big Triangle First - 231613 is shown as being originally assigned to the 457th BG - this and two other a/c were transferred to the 92nd BG on 11th March 1944 as part of a policy of ensuring that the 457th was an all natural metal Group.
I may be wrong, but I don't think ball turrets on B17s could be retracted. Instead they had to be jetisoned as required. B24 Liberators had retractable balls, due to fuselage ground clearance.
Disturbing thing about the ball (and also many rear turrets) - gunners could only leave these turrets when the entry/exit doors were aligned within the fuselage. Not for the claustrophobic. Needless to say, I have absolute respect for allied air gunners.
I've read plenty of history on these birds, and all the spectulation on the ball gunner is just that. He WOULD have gotten out if he could, but battle damage may have precluded that. In addition sometimes the ball would break loose either do to damage or force of impact and become a giant PITA inside the airplane. You can be sure there would be fatalities in that case. These things were no picnic. Imagine riding the back of your pickup truck, as fast'd it would go, below 0F in winter
engines would need repairs the force on the mechanical parts would almost certainly cause something to break like the crankshaft, landing gear could of been lowered manually unless it was really badly damaged , ball turret would be crushed if it wasnt jetisioned prior. but the airframe would other wise be intact
People say--fix the gear and the props, and you're back in business. Really. I'd hate to think of a crank bearing or somesuch after the propellers get that jolt of a stop. Like my lawnmower connecting rod being screwed up after hitting a stump or root. Sure made the lawnmower engine pretty fouled up. How about the plane engine? I'd say that the mechanics at the airfield just parted the plane out to keep the others flying till more planes came from stateside.
It looks to be either an 'E' model or an early 'F' model & from the video it either doesn't have a ball turret or it was retracted in the normal way.
The design of the retracted landing gear is such that the lower portion of the tyres are low enough to actually roll along in a belly landing & on a flat enough surface, will actually provide some measure of steering via differential braking.
It was a very good landing & with 4 new engines & props, + repairs, it probably flew again.
the pilot probably told him that they're gonna make a belly landing....if not (which is very unlikely) the guy in the ball turret must have seen that the landing gear is not out....i don't think he was killed
oh, i have no idea, but sounds quite logical to me. although, you never know....back in that time, people didn't really care much about safety. but still sounds very logical
It might not have been this particular landing but CBS's Andy Rooney who was a correspondent with the Army's Stars and Stripes newspaper talks about personally witnessing a B-17 belly landing where the lower ball turret gunner couldn't get out of his station due to battle damage. Imagine how the crew, and especially the pilot, must have felt for the rest of their lives. Its not something you ever forget - even if you're a bystander. Andy Rooney didn't.
the gears in the ball turrent were jammed due to battle damage...the gunner accepted his fate...my late father served in WW2...he told me that the tail gunners had it bad on these bombers...
Its 0700 hrs get this thing back on her wheels props replaced pre triped and full of fuel n bombs I want her back in the air by 1800hrs this evening!!!!get to work boys..
Germans moaning about war crimes? What kind of freedom would you have now if your Nazis had won? Freedom from Jews, Gypsies, Slavs and plenty of living space for the right kind of human being? I would recommend the kind of freedom you're enjoying now - after losing the war.
You can almost make out the serial number at 01:32, I read it as 31613, if you squint your eyes a bit. This aircraft is recorded on accidentreportsdotcom for 19/04/44. Is this right Topcameraman?Do we know anything else about the aircraft in this footage?
TOP-CAMERAMAN; This video was shot on 20th April 1944. I've checked the "service record card" for this actual B.17... She was originally assigned to the 749 B.Sq. of the 457th Bomb-Group, at Glatton, Northants.
She was transferred to the 325th B.Sq. of the 92nd Bomb-Groupon the 11th March 1944.
These are the markings ('N*NV' 42-31613) worn when this video was taken (on 20th April 1944). She was salvaged thereafter & NEVER flew again (according to her service record), being salvaged for spares
Alot of the old buildings at santa pod (Poddington)are now being destroyed which is a shame. The watch tower is still there, now a house, the is a small memorial to the 96 bombardment group (I think that's the correct group)about 2 miles down the road.
Perhaps the boys from the 92nd Bomber Group would have enjoyed the fact that their base is now a drag racing track! How very American!At least they are not for
Hope the ball turret operator wasn't inside.
mgn9 5 days ago
wow, what a landing
dkjayjay 1 month ago
kudos to the pilot who landed that plane!!
thamescanada 1 month ago
ya know that we were born without feathers for a reason. No disrespect meant. Just sayin.
Peaceandhope12 1 month ago
Excellent videos!! As a PPL student myself, I am always commenting to my Instructor when an ex WW2 airbase comes into view, how great it must have been to see it after a long flight back from the target(s).
ChrizRockster 1 month ago
I wonder if the Crew Chief was growling under his breath.
TheSlugstoppa 1 month ago
Perfect landing!Respct!
misterunderdog 4 months ago
why usa wanted strategic bomber in 1939 ?
batalion666 5 months ago
@batalion666 To bomb people in 1940.
Houseofthe7gayboys 3 months ago
@Houseofthe7gayboys why no one goy even dont try to think who created Hitler and who made profits on this war ? jewish "american" banks
batalion666 3 months ago
@Houseofthe7gayboys <----------------Do you really have 6 boyfriends?
glassdogangle 6 days ago
@batalion666 ww2 started in 1939
wolffromsteam 2 months ago
im not sure but i think the ball turret gunner died because the landing gear was down and the hatch wouldnt open
TheSovietninja2 5 months ago
One tired pilot makes a good landing! I think his crew would stay with him.
SidorovikPetrov 5 months ago in playlist Aircraft
was the Ball turret gunner killed?
thomasredbaronevans 6 months ago 2
@thomasredbaronevans i doubt it, he had plenty of time to get out of the turret.
WiredrawnMurder45 5 months ago
@thomasredbaronevans I don't think they landed the planes with anyone in the turrets. I'm sure the pilot would have known to remove the gunner due to a landing gear failling.
Thank you uploader we have been trying to find some more history of santapod raceway and poddingtons air strip.
fasted101 3 months ago
@fasted101 when the hydraulics failed sometimes it meant the chap in the ball turret couldnt get out as the ball wouldnt be able to move. hence a few chaps were crushed to death upon landing
stephenpprice 3 months ago
@fasted101
Sorry, wrong. Several belly mounted gunners died.
michaelpilot1000 1 month ago
@thomasredbaronevans Yes... cuse he didn't take 15 seconds out of his busy schedule to unstrap himself, open a hatch, climb into the fuselage and sit back for a nice cold one with the rest of the aircrew...
chobit389 2 months ago
BeautyFull
RonSkem 7 months ago
I'm a reporter and I'm going to be doing a story tomorrow about an airshow with B-17's. Would it be alright if I used this in my TV news story? Thanks.
Blackjackel1138 8 months ago
@TheCanadian951 I saw it on the history channel on a documentary last year I think. It may have been the military channel. It was when they were airing WW2 footage and 60% of it was just uncovered and released last year or something..
jeffmt268426 8 months ago
@TheCanadian951 Yea I thought thats what it was too.
jeffmt268426 8 months ago
So does anyone know what happened with the crewman who was stuck in the bottom turret bubble? I saw this on History's WWII in HD: The Air War.
choppaholic26 8 months ago
@choppaholic26 He probably either got out or was dead already, the ball turret had a little door on the back that opened into the aircraft when the it was rotated to face straight down.
TheWierdFish 8 months ago
"heroicos ".
maunten66 8 months ago
i wonder if the turret gunner was in his spot
ericou812 8 months ago
I am pretty sure this was taken while it was still in the 325th BS, 92 Bomb Group. Most Likely she was either repaired and flew, or if the damage was too much they would scrap it and use the parts on the other B-17's. From the video I would say she would have been repaired and flew again. I do know in 3/11/1944 she was transferred. Either to the 325th or coming from the 749th.
ausire79 9 months ago
the blades are bent.
coolmountains25 9 months ago
they had balls of steel to fly those. i had a peek in one at an air museum.
azthundercloud 10 months ago
A skilled pilot.
MrPhantomFury 10 months ago
I wouldn't want to be the poor bloak in the belly turret. & yes that did happen, unfortunatly.
pensa00 10 months ago
was that the plane where the ball turret gunner was trapped inside and was crushed? I saw that on the history channel.
Superpepsiman20 10 months ago
Did that B17 ever fly again or was it scrapped ? Thanks to all the american airmen, back then but also today.
ChelseaAllTheWay13 10 months ago
@ChelseaAllTheWay13 What about the British airmen? And the Polish, and French, and Australian, and Czech, and Canadian, and, well everyone else who contributed to the downfall of Hitler.
TheWierdFish 8 months ago
A text book belly landing. Strange to think that this airfield still witnesses the roar of American built motors as Santa Pod dragstrip eh?
BradBrassman 10 months ago
@BradBrassman And plenty of engines of other nationalities too, I was there a couple of years ago giving people trouser problems with the upper rev band of my LP640. Which is Italian. And about 10 years ago with a borrowed Bugatti T35, that 1920s straight 8 has more of a voice than any V8 I've heard.
TheWierdFish 8 months ago
@TheWierdFish Yeah, baby just sniff that smoke, and high octane fuel mixed in with the scent of cheap hot dogs 'N' fried onions. It dont get any better eh?
BradBrassman 8 months ago
@BradBrassman Actually, given the choice I'd rather be at a proper circuit,exploring the ragged edges of a cars performance and tackling the laws of physics with a healthy dose of lunacy. Plus on a drag strip you can't decide to just let loose and start drifting.
TheWierdFish 8 months ago
Change the props, Fly her again
BillWa 10 months ago
@BillWa And the engines which would have been ruined by the sudden stop, and most of the underside would need rebuilding.
TheWierdFish 8 months ago
That was one hell of a smooth landing!
Poopingbotham 11 months ago
Very good footage. remarkable!
Cavelson 11 months ago
Why didn't he put out his landing wheels?
thebritishww2man 11 months ago
@thebritishww2man
Probably because they were broken, either mechanical failiure or damage from enemy fighters or AAA.
TheWierdFish 11 months ago
@TheWierdFish Or maybe because they were landing on grass and the pilot wisely decided that landing gear would be useless or hazardous without an actual runway.
49kasey 9 months ago
@49kasey To my knowledge B17s could use grass runways, the gear is certainly strong enough.
TheWierdFish 8 months ago
@TheWierdFish I seriously doubt that without meaning any insult so please don't give me one, but they build runways for a reason...
49kasey 8 months ago
@49kasey I can see your reasoning, but it is far cheaper and quicker to flatten out a field than it is to build a proper runway and during WWII money and time was tight so aircraft frequently took off from grass strips, most fighter bases were and I believe some bomber bases were too. Plus when a grass field is bombed you can simply throw the dirt back in the hole and flatten it again whereas a concrete runway needs profesionally re-laying, and quick repairs are vital in war.
TheWierdFish 8 months ago
@TheWierdFish You have a point there. But the resistance and roughness of a grassy field tells me they'd have left the landing gear retracted rather than risk having even one collapse and cause a disaster. See how the plane is bucking? And how could the landing gear have been damaged after takeoff? The plane doesn't appear to have suffered any.
49kasey 8 months ago
@49kasey For someone to have a camera there it was obviously a proper airfield, the aircraft is capable of landing and taking off regularly on grass strips with no danger. To not lower the gear out of choice would be foolish and dangerous. This aircraft must have lost at least one wheel to land like this. As to there being no visible damage, all it would take is one stray bullet to a hydraulic line and the entire gear could be U/S and cameras of this time were not of a high enough quality.
TheWierdFish 8 months ago
@TheWierdFish ...not of a high enough quality to capture a tiny bullet hole at that distance, even higer quality stills don't pick up detail that small.
TheWierdFish 8 months ago
@thebritishww2man Just for shits and giggles.
PanekPL 11 months ago
@thebritishww2man seriously, is there a need to ask that question?
mitsucanter247365 10 months ago
"H E R O E S "
maunten66 11 months ago
Perfection a true 3 point landing
LazerXX2234 11 months ago
What a landing... nothing short of spectacular....These gentlemen that flew these missions with the B-17, 24's and 25's were badass. I wonder if there is a setup/DL for this for the Flight Sim X?
Red1Six 11 months ago
@Red1Six Go on google and search 'A2A Simulations'. The Wings of Silver 2 B17 should be pretty much what you're looking for!
no1doesitlikeme 11 months ago
What landing! What heroes these guys were. Thanks.
libville 11 months ago
Well landed, i have a video you may all like, i created it not long ago :).....have a look, it's a Tribute to the B-17, type in Tribute to the B-17 Flying Fortress
MrSpitfire1990 11 months ago
Hi thank you for your comment and yes I am sure you are correct.
Regards TC.
TOPCAMERMAN 1 year ago
I bet few of those regulars who visit Santa Pod for the racing these days are aware of the site's heritage.
BigMrFirebird 1 year ago
Hi thank you for your comment and yes they proberly did
Regards T.C.
TOPCAMERMAN 1 year ago
I bet they had it fix and flying another bombing run in less than a week. If it wasn't damaged too badly.
jinto1980 1 year ago
@jinto1980 Why don't you read the comment by Hunstanton29? Honestly...
no1doesitlikeme 11 months ago
@no1doesitlikeme
How about you go fuck yourself.
jinto1980 11 months ago
@jinto1980 Wow, ok, how shall I respond to such a childish and overreactive comment...I guess I could tell you to go fuck yourself aswell, but that wouldn't get us anywhere. You said something arrogant that is easily proven wrong if you had simply taken the 5 seconds to read Hunstanton29's comment. Instead you decided to embarrass yourself and then insult me for no particular reason. Come back and talk to me later when your period has stopped and you've pulled that huge stick out of your ass.
no1doesitlikeme 11 months ago
Hi thank you for your comment I hope you will enjoy the rest of my fake video clips on my channel you will have over 450 to chose from.
Regards T.C.
TOPCAMERMAN 1 year ago
You know this is fake because it didnt blow up like the one in the movie Memphis Belle.
24preacherboy 1 year ago
@24preacherboy They didn't all blow up just 'cos they had a belly landing. It would all depend on if the remainiing fuel or oxygen in the tanks was ignited, and/or if there were any "hang-ups" of bombs remaining in the plane. Check out the belly landing in 12 O'Clock High or The War Lover (same landing used in both) for a great example of how to belly land a B-17.
BigMrFirebird 1 year ago
Hi I dont think it would be posible
TOPCAMERMAN 1 year ago
I wouildn;t fancy doing that in a lanc.
jrobertsoneff 1 year ago
No problem its a pleasure to share with you all and thank you for your comment
Regards T.C.
TOPCAMERMAN 1 year ago
Textbook belly landing. Thanks for sharing all of this. Fantastic vids.
PurpleOrchid92 1 year ago
You won't believe this. I was walking down the street in Cambridge, Massachusetts one nice sunny day in the early 90's when up ahead I saw two WWII prop jobs flying side by side and banking. One was a B-17, the other was a B-24 I think. One of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen and it took me completely by surprise.
49kasey 1 year ago 4
@49kasey Hi 49Kasey thank you for your very interesting comment I hope you enjoy the rest of my channel.
Regards T.C.
TOPCAMERMAN 1 year ago
@49kasey I was working @ Hampton Beach when they did two fly by's. Must've been the same day. Pretty awesome and unexpected
cowboyhan 10 months ago
@49kasey I saw the same planes at Hampton Beach around the same time. They did two low fly-bys... Awesome and unexpected
cowboyhan 10 months ago
@cowboyhan That must have been beautiful to see them over all that open space! I was facing an undeveloped wide open area with buildings on the left but open space on the right and that's where they were banking. I saw a B-36 once in Maryland. It was very overcast; it came over low and LOUD! There was no mistaking the six rear-mounted props. When I was a kid I lived in Newmarket, NH and we had B-47's and B-52's flying by all the time, sometimes practicing refeuling with KC-135's.
49kasey 10 months ago
@49kasey The Collings Foundation in Stowe Mass has had a flying B-17 and a B-24 for many years and they fly all over the country during the summer months. Those were probably the ones you saw.
Sstantial 9 months ago
@49kasey I saw those two fly over Louisville, KY, back in 94 or so. Breathtaking.
ahz123 8 months ago
B-17 gotta luv them, That was one Bad ass bird.
shadowman3861 1 year ago
Hi thank you for your comment please enjoy the rest of my channel.
Regards John
TOPCAMERMAN 1 year ago
@shadowman3861 But a pathetic bomb load for their size.
TheWierdFish 8 months ago
did the b-17 planes fly directly from us to uk or they were shipped and then assembled in the uk?
chaghar 1 year ago
Hi thanks for your interest no it was not possible to fly to the UK direct it was done in stages. Please enjoy more of the same on the rest of my channel.
Regards John.
TOPCAMERMAN 1 year ago
@chaghar I think they would be flown to St.Johns. Newfoundland, via Greenland onto Iceland and then into the U.K. Most U.S. fighters were shipped.
moogug 1 year ago
Props to the pilots, great job bringing it down.
Benno828282 1 year ago
Hi thank you for your comment please enjoy the rest of my channel and WW 2 clips.
Regards John.
TOPCAMERMAN 1 year ago
what a ride!
farfo5019 1 year ago
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During World War II, “12,000 heavy bombers were shot down in World War 2.” (source: world-war-2.info/facts/). To see more amazing videos and stats check out on You Tube TheFrontlinesStories or on the web The Frontlines.The mission of The Frontlines is: "To provide members of the armed forces, veterans, family and friends a platform to creatively share their stories from the frontlines."
TheFrontlinesStories 1 year ago
crim9001,
Yes, Carl Coker was my father. He enjoyed his time in Kankakee very much!
iverpop58 1 year ago
u know the b 17 has a belly gunner :S
33049156 1 year ago
@33049156 yes b24 and b25 (late version) b29 also got that. but i guess he got the hell out of there before they landed (if he still was alive)
nolifemerc 1 year ago
who needs wheels?
startwiththeballs 1 year ago
I was delighted to find this! My father was the pilot on that B17! I remember seeing the photo of the crew in front of the plane when I was a kid! Thanks!
iverpop58 1 year ago
@iverpop58 - wow! isn't that amazing? Our dad is the best of all!
Moonstar5122 1 year ago
@iverpop58
Moonstar5122 1 year ago
Awesome!! I couldn't believe they really did tape this video in '44. Our dad is nbr 1!!
Moonstar5122 1 year ago
@iverpop58
Was your Dad Carl W. Coker? He was a dear friend and our minister in Kankakee!
crim9001 1 year ago
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hi went to santa pod last weekend for the 1st time saw & read the memorial as we drove in thought i'd do a bit of research about the history of the base & found these vids through a few links absolutely fantastic & thanks for posting them also big thanks & respect to the many brave airmen of the USAF who gave their lives helping this country through its darkest years if any body is interested the "sally b" is flying at the iwm duxford on oct 10th 2010 to mark her 65th anniversary
gazrs2 1 year ago
hi went to santa pod last weekend for the 1st time saw & read the memorial as we drove in thought i'd do a bit of research about the history of the base & found these vids through a few links absolutely fantastic & thanks for posting them also big thanks & respect to the many brave airmen of the USAF who gave their lives helping this country through its darkest years if any body is interested the "sally b" is flying at the iwm duxford on oct 10th 2010 to mark her 65th anniversary
gazrs2 1 year ago 2
@gazrs2 Thank you for your comment, and we installed the 92nd Bomb Group Memorial in Airfield Road, Podington during a reunion in 1999 when many of the veterans returned. Regards John
TOPCAMERMAN 1 year ago 2
what happens to the guy that gets stuck in the ball gunner :(
Jakestg 1 year ago
Great landing. As pilots say: 'Take off is optional, but landing is compulsory.'
SteffanLlwyd 1 year ago
that's some skill
TheMrDobbins 1 year ago
Textbook landing there. However, I don't think I would be milling around it just in case of leaks and whatnot!
Damo3445 1 year ago
good video! they were brave men! respect to all americans who saved my country!
SuperPapi83 1 year ago 2
I could not sit in the left seat. I do not have that courage. I was an Officer with the 101st. A walk in the woods.
RTO
82abnoff 1 year ago
@82abnoff Thanks for watching my clips enjoy the rest of my channel
Regards John
TOPCAMERMAN 1 year ago
continues practice will make some thing like this, excellent job pilot
abogaleno 1 year ago
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In most WWII dogfight videos I saw German airplanes (Messerschmitt Bf 109, Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka") were chased and shot down, which leads me to the assumption that the practice of filming airfights and bombings were a common "Allied" one. Is this correct? Or has German footage been destroyed? Had it even never been existing?
What does explain this "documentative imbalance"?
nekoboy75 1 year ago
My late uncle served on board this aircraft and was stationed at this base when he was in. I respect my late uncle for his service. He saw some things that he never talked about, while in this aircraft. He was in the 8th Air Force.
renegadebiker24 1 year ago
is the engines cut off or are they running during the landing?
MityLite 1 year ago
In the silent memory of the brave crews of the B-17's.
ColaWhiski 1 year ago 6
great piloting skill
rhplanettelex 2 years ago
Nice landing.
bfahren 2 years ago
Had an uncle in the 92nd. He told a story of dropping the ball turret out of the aircraft on the way home. It was damaged by a 20mm round and could not depress enough to get the gunner out. After taking more hits as a straggler, found that gear would not go down. Jettetisoned the turret near a resuce launch. The gunner made it home a few days later.
Aeroplnut 2 years ago 2
I know that the B-17 ball could not be retracted, but if Im not mistaken, I had heard they could be jettisoned for such an instance as this.
vetitoe362 2 years ago 3
two clips had to be undone in the middle of the yoke assembly holding the turret up they were below the O2 bottle holders for the turret , the electric and O2 leads had to disconnected as well...if you look at any restored B-17 you'll see them.(so now go do what I did and go take a look for yourself!..I'm sure no one reading this would need an arm twisting to go see a B-17..right?)
the whole assembly looks very rugged..I'm sure it would tear the fuselage if it were left in place
Marauder0090 2 years ago 2
It would be a nice concept if one was flying around town this time of year:-) Ill be sure to look though!
vetitoe362 2 years ago
I am fortunate to live near a Flying Museum..(AAPM)on the weekends all the aircraft take to the air and visitng aircraft include the CWM Lancaster. nothing like cutting the grass and hearing a roar and looking up into the belly of that huge black monster speeding 500ft overhead on its final approach.or a Fort at the same altitude doing a slow turn as it heads for the airfield...Ive probalby seen every B-17 and B-24 still flying pass by..along with the CAF B-29..and an He-111..fun stuff!:)
Marauder0090 2 years ago
@Marauder0090 what is the AAPM? and where do i want to move to?
vetitoe362 2 years ago
Farmingdale NY,,20 minutes from NYC site of the former Republic Factory now an airport and home of the American airpower museum, if you click on my name there is a pic of me leaning on the Collings foundations B-17 while its being refueled at the museum i am sure there are videos on YT of Republic..they host the t-birds, the blue angels, red arrows snowbirds..place is amazing..the ww2 control tower is still there and is part of the exhibit..you can go to the top and watch!..it awesome.
Marauder0090 2 years ago
type in aampromo or republic airport or
Republic airport b-17
i hope you have your bags packed.:)seriously..its like this from april till october..every weekend.
Marauder0090 2 years ago
my dad was in 388th bg, flew in several planes and said that the ball turret could be rotated from inside.
the gunner took off and landed in the airplane, not the turret.
on the brux mission he had to get the gunner out as he flipped out and was just goin in circles shooting. he sat him at the tail wheel and put a blanket on him.
btw, if u see in flight photos with the guns pointed down, the gunner is in the plane.
johosjokers 2 years ago 8
@johosjokers, I read an account in "Wild Blue" by Stephen Ambrose of a B24 of the 741st Squadron that had to make a belly landing with the hydraulics shot out, the ball turret was jammed and the gunner was unable to rotate his turret to get out. The aircraft circled the base and eventually, damaged and almost out of fuel, had to land, crushing the gunner in his turret. He knew what was coming and there was nothing anyone could do about it. True bravery and tragedy.
pete2778 1 year ago
@pete2778 The orignial story writer was today's CBS "60 Minutes" commentator, Andy Rooney, who wrote for the "Stars & Stripes" during World War II.
MrPloopy 1 year ago
this is a B-17G-20-BO of the 92nd BG(triangle B) 325 Bomb Squadron (code NV)..I looked the serial 42-31613 up and has no listing for it..-12 and -14 are there..but not -13...which means the MACR or final disposition paperwork hasent been found yet..I refered the researcher to this video..the Base air depots worked miriacles with these planes..likely it flew again
Marauder0090 2 years ago
I looked in Cliff Bishop's Fortresses of the Big Triangle First - 231613 is shown as being originally assigned to the 457th BG - this and two other a/c were transferred to the 92nd BG on 11th March 1944 as part of a policy of ensuring that the 457th was an all natural metal Group.
mig25pd 2 years ago
As an Infrantry Officer with the 101st in Vietnam, I can only say that I did not have that courage. My only armor was my skin.
82abnoff 2 years ago
thank you for your service... always victors like the 8th air force... politicians the losers..
irish89055 2 years ago
I may be wrong, but I don't think ball turrets on B17s could be retracted. Instead they had to be jetisoned as required. B24 Liberators had retractable balls, due to fuselage ground clearance.
Disturbing thing about the ball (and also many rear turrets) - gunners could only leave these turrets when the entry/exit doors were aligned within the fuselage. Not for the claustrophobic. Needless to say, I have absolute respect for allied air gunners.
SONOR4 2 years ago
I've read plenty of history on these birds, and all the spectulation on the ball gunner is just that. He WOULD have gotten out if he could, but battle damage may have precluded that. In addition sometimes the ball would break loose either do to damage or force of impact and become a giant PITA inside the airplane. You can be sure there would be fatalities in that case. These things were no picnic. Imagine riding the back of your pickup truck, as fast'd it would go, below 0F in winter
fourfortyroadrunner 2 years ago
Yes, you're right, I didn't study it for long enough & it's my error, I was looking for cheek guns which I didn't see from a front view.
It's a later 'F' or a 'G' model so the ball turret would have been retracted since it isn't [readily] visible in the landing approach.
KB10GL 2 years ago
engines would need repairs the force on the mechanical parts would almost certainly cause something to break like the crankshaft, landing gear could of been lowered manually unless it was really badly damaged , ball turret would be crushed if it wasnt jetisioned prior. but the airframe would other wise be intact
zequelll 2 years ago
People say--fix the gear and the props, and you're back in business. Really. I'd hate to think of a crank bearing or somesuch after the propellers get that jolt of a stop. Like my lawnmower connecting rod being screwed up after hitting a stump or root. Sure made the lawnmower engine pretty fouled up. How about the plane engine? I'd say that the mechanics at the airfield just parted the plane out to keep the others flying till more planes came from stateside.
noacronym 2 years ago
when they landing like this......
was total lost of the plane or the plane still can fly ?
legionario501 2 years ago
it's still operational, if you repair the landing gear
pieplicht 2 years ago
and repair the props , ball turret....
dave41184 2 years ago
a good landing
phonix032 2 years ago
lands exactly the same as on the memphis belle, except it doesnt blow up...thank god
snizzle515151 3 years ago
The Ball turret gunner would have got out. They will have unbolted the turret and dropped it before touch-down.
EssieP 3 years ago
It looks to be either an 'E' model or an early 'F' model & from the video it either doesn't have a ball turret or it was retracted in the normal way.
The design of the retracted landing gear is such that the lower portion of the tyres are low enough to actually roll along in a belly landing & on a flat enough surface, will actually provide some measure of steering via differential braking.
It was a very good landing & with 4 new engines & props, + repairs, it probably flew again.
KB10GL 2 years ago
It has a chin turret, that makes it a "G"
EssieP 2 years ago 2
i hope the guy in the ball turret got out before landing
861945japan 3 years ago 2
the pilot probably told him that they're gonna make a belly landing....if not (which is very unlikely) the guy in the ball turret must have seen that the landing gear is not out....i don't think he was killed
Sicklehead88 3 years ago
I may be wrong but think the belly gunner gets out of the turret during take off and landing
Jonno617 3 years ago
oh, i have no idea, but sounds quite logical to me. although, you never know....back in that time, people didn't really care much about safety. but still sounds very logical
Sicklehead88 3 years ago
It might not have been this particular landing but CBS's Andy Rooney who was a correspondent with the Army's Stars and Stripes newspaper talks about personally witnessing a B-17 belly landing where the lower ball turret gunner couldn't get out of his station due to battle damage. Imagine how the crew, and especially the pilot, must have felt for the rest of their lives. Its not something you ever forget - even if you're a bystander. Andy Rooney didn't.
TennesseeShine 3 years ago
the gears in the ball turrent were jammed due to battle damage...the gunner accepted his fate...my late father served in WW2...he told me that the tail gunners had it bad on these bombers...
ffej980 2 years ago
Ok,,Wheres the crew chief of this bird??
Its 0700 hrs get this thing back on her wheels props replaced pre triped and full of fuel n bombs I want her back in the air by 1800hrs this evening!!!!get to work boys..
timstime1970 3 years ago 2
Germans moaning about war crimes? What kind of freedom would you have now if your Nazis had won? Freedom from Jews, Gypsies, Slavs and plenty of living space for the right kind of human being? I would recommend the kind of freedom you're enjoying now - after losing the war.
rotamina 3 years ago 2
Oh yes, the late freedom and no suppression for the aborigines! Thats what i would recommend....;)
quarkser 3 years ago
and plenty of soap u have to say :P
geover330 3 years ago
What an amazing pilot!!
snozdog 3 years ago
That is amazing footage. Thanks for posting it
05RedSS 3 years ago
a good bloody landing for no landing gear lol well done who ever it was back then
ghostridergsxr1000 3 years ago
that is awesome footage
it looks like they shut the engines down before landing,
or else the props would have been curled back much more
steers83bravo 3 years ago
Very nice footage.
timpska 3 years ago
Great video, thanks for sharing.
You can almost make out the serial number at 01:32, I read it as 31613, if you squint your eyes a bit. This aircraft is recorded on accidentreportsdotcom for 19/04/44. Is this right Topcameraman?Do we know anything else about the aircraft in this footage?
Hanglands 3 years ago 2
Thanks for your comment, have checked with the Docs report and nothing much is said about this B17 in his records.
Regards TOPCAMERMAN
TOPCAMERMAN 3 years ago
TOP-CAMERAMAN; This video was shot on 20th April 1944. I've checked the "service record card" for this actual B.17... She was originally assigned to the 749 B.Sq. of the 457th Bomb-Group, at Glatton, Northants.
She was transferred to the 325th B.Sq. of the 92nd Bomb-Groupon the 11th March 1944.
These are the markings ('N*NV' 42-31613) worn when this video was taken (on 20th April 1944). She was salvaged thereafter & NEVER flew again (according to her service record), being salvaged for spares
Hunstanton29 3 years ago 13
Hi thats a bit of good research and just what we all want to see, thanks for the information
TOPCAMERMAN 3 years ago
tha b-17 must have been badly shot up by german fighters who nows maybe it was a great ace that did that
TOPACE352 3 years ago
As most of you will know poddington is now a drag race track.
r1wantone 3 years ago
Alot of the old buildings at santa pod (Poddington)are now being destroyed which is a shame. The watch tower is still there, now a house, the is a small memorial to the 96 bombardment group (I think that's the correct group)about 2 miles down the road.
r1wantone 3 years ago
Thanks for your response and the memorial is to the 92nd BOMB GROUP
TOPCAMERMAN 3 years ago
Thanks
r1wantone 3 years ago
Perhaps the boys from the 92nd Bomber Group would have enjoyed the fact that their base is now a drag racing track! How very American!At least they are not for