We went to Republic Fields, L.I. from England to fly on Witchraft in 2009 - FANTASTIC PLANE!! See my B24 Liberator Beast of Bourbon Memorial 36 BS "The Gremlins" 7/5/11 England
Since my dad flew a B-24 during WWII I once had four different models of the airplane. My Dad always said the B-24 got a bad rap. If they had been flown under the same conditions as the B-17 and B-25 they would look much better.
The father as a close friend of mine ran many a run over Nazi Germany as a 2nd. Lt. navigator during WWII. I've talked him a few times, but unfortunately never about his B-24 days. He was a good man.
America needs needs more guys like him to talk to the Obamites, and set them straight about the dues that they paid for their country, and what it's all about.
Unfortunately they'd probably blow him off as some sort of war monger.
My Mother AJM (1926-2001) worked on the assembly line at Convair in San Diego during WWII building B-24's as a Riveter-buffer. One woman would shoot the rivet gun, and the other woman buffered it on the other side of the metal sheet.
Hence, "Rosie the Riveter" was the legendary term for these Women whom served our Country, while the men were mostly stationed at War.
My Dad flew with the 454th also flying out of Italy.He was the " Belly gunner" in the bottom turret on " Tuff Nut Tessy" or "TNT" for short.They crash landed one plane on the runway after the plane being shot up really bad.Then on the 13th mission the crew had to parachute out as it was going down.Dad spent the next year in a German POW camp.He is still going at 84 yrs old.
My Dad was nose gunner on "Pistol Packin' Mama" in the 464th Bomb Group flying from Pantanella, Italy, and did 52 missions---He was one of only 2 of the original 10 men who got home. I flew on the Collings B24 and it was more than I could have imagined. Under attack by fighters, he had to hang in the bomb bay and push out a stuck bomb, won the DFC for it. And what I honor most about him---that he almost never talked about it all unless asked....
@Dionysos37 My dad flew as a waist gunner on the" Silver Babe" 449th Bomb Group 716 Squadron out of Grataglia air base Italy. The Silver Babe was shot down due to flack over Moosbierbaum, Austria on Dec 11 1944. The crew bailed out over the Yugoslav mountains. [ all evaded capture] and returned with the help of local partisans.
these guys just landed yesterday (8/8/2007) here in Zanesville. I have a complete video of their landing on my youtube page. it includes the B-25 which you don't have here.
Thanks for your comment Dave. This plane was leading technology 63 years ago. I think you and I would have to be on the Space Shuttle crew today to match what our Dads were doing back then.
I made a later trip to see this B-24 and made a video to better show each station of the ten man crew. I stood inside the nose wheel well and filmed the area where the navigator and bombardier were located.
Safer than a B17 or a B25! Yet, it was one of the least used planes
LtBartram 6 days ago
We went to Republic Fields, L.I. from England to fly on Witchraft in 2009 - FANTASTIC PLANE!! See my B24 Liberator Beast of Bourbon Memorial 36 BS "The Gremlins" 7/5/11 England
Liberator74 7 months ago
Since my dad flew a B-24 during WWII I once had four different models of the airplane. My Dad always said the B-24 got a bad rap. If they had been flown under the same conditions as the B-17 and B-25 they would look much better.
dahsuerk 1 year ago
My father was station in Rackheath, England during WWII. He fixed the radios on B-24s.
dahsuerk 1 year ago
The father as a close friend of mine ran many a run over Nazi Germany as a 2nd. Lt. navigator during WWII. I've talked him a few times, but unfortunately never about his B-24 days. He was a good man.
America needs needs more guys like him to talk to the Obamites, and set them straight about the dues that they paid for their country, and what it's all about.
Unfortunately they'd probably blow him off as some sort of war monger.
Dealit707 1 year ago
My Dad was a navigator in the in the 454th - 2 planes "Late Frate" and "Hare Power"
Heepster1 2 years ago
i was at the columbus air force base also in mississippi and they roped off the b17 and b24 couldnt even get close to them.
JTelli786 2 years ago
My Mother AJM (1926-2001) worked on the assembly line at Convair in San Diego during WWII building B-24's as a Riveter-buffer. One woman would shoot the rivet gun, and the other woman buffered it on the other side of the metal sheet.
Hence, "Rosie the Riveter" was the legendary term for these Women whom served our Country, while the men were mostly stationed at War.
959970 2 years ago
My Dad flew with the 454th also flying out of Italy.He was the " Belly gunner" in the bottom turret on " Tuff Nut Tessy" or "TNT" for short.They crash landed one plane on the runway after the plane being shot up really bad.Then on the 13th mission the crew had to parachute out as it was going down.Dad spent the next year in a German POW camp.He is still going at 84 yrs old.
keymankeys1960 3 years ago 5
Great story....Be proud of your legacy. America needs more "real" men like your dad.
Dealit707 1 year ago
My Dad was nose gunner on "Pistol Packin' Mama" in the 464th Bomb Group flying from Pantanella, Italy, and did 52 missions---He was one of only 2 of the original 10 men who got home. I flew on the Collings B24 and it was more than I could have imagined. Under attack by fighters, he had to hang in the bomb bay and push out a stuck bomb, won the DFC for it. And what I honor most about him---that he almost never talked about it all unless asked....
Dionysos37 3 years ago 4
@Dionysos37 My dad flew as a waist gunner on the" Silver Babe" 449th Bomb Group 716 Squadron out of Grataglia air base Italy. The Silver Babe was shot down due to flack over Moosbierbaum, Austria on Dec 11 1944. The crew bailed out over the Yugoslav mountains. [ all evaded capture] and returned with the help of local partisans.
7322628023 11 months ago
thanks for sharing,i would like to fly on it!very interesting
ivmar1 4 years ago
Great video, my dad was a flight engineer on a B-24J in Italy with the 459th BG 757th BS
stargchaser 4 years ago
Somebody knows how many B-24, B-17 and B-25 still FLYING in 2007 in the world??Thanks.
geraaaard1 4 years ago
these guys just landed yesterday (8/8/2007) here in Zanesville. I have a complete video of their landing on my youtube page. it includes the B-25 which you don't have here.
blitzebill 4 years ago
Thanks for the Video - my Dad was a navigator in a "J"
Dave White
Heepster1 4 years ago
Thanks for your comment Dave. This plane was leading technology 63 years ago. I think you and I would have to be on the Space Shuttle crew today to match what our Dads were doing back then.
I made a later trip to see this B-24 and made a video to better show each station of the ten man crew. I stood inside the nose wheel well and filmed the area where the navigator and bombardier were located.
Check out my "B-24 Liberator" video on YouTube.
volleyballjones 4 years ago
Awesome
Heepster1 4 years ago
that's awesome!! my grandpa was in the 446th under the "H"
sonofsarek01 4 years ago
Cool old bird!
B3Rock 5 years ago