On board the Liberty Belle

Darren
Your wonderful photos have been a pleasure to us for a while, a unique trip that you fully deserve, and our rewards were some breathtaking photographs.
I hope that these may get into the media, I’m ashamed at the lack of coverage that this event has received over here, everyone seems to have been obsessed with Wimbledon and the Grand Prix over the weekend.
The fact that this aircraft has been brought over here, not only for our pleasure, but to honour those that died in order that I could write this or even have the freedom to critisize that ‘Damn Yank Hinton’ for coming over here and taking over one of our a/c, is quite an achievement that should be told to everyone, not just our lot on the Forum.
Good for you, I look forward to having a good look round LB over the weekend, perhaps our local media at least will publisise the event at the expense of some crass article on pig farming in Halesworth, but I doubt it, they obviously know what the general public are really interested in, or do they.

I would have loved to have gone to DX today but my dog is very ill, madam has taken her to the vets, she may not return.

And what’s wrong with pig farming in Halesworth?

Fantastic shots Darren 😎 thanks for posting.
James

I wish however she could have been kept as the engine test bed on museum display and another example restored to fly but I guess that’s supply and demand!

Her P&W test bed guise was ruined when an upside down Albatross (Grumman, not the bird) hit her amidships during a freak 1979 tornado while at the New England Air Museum.
After that, we should be thankful that the plane is still with us in ANY guise.

She had quite a nice long feature – however I am glad Gordon Brown featured more strongly as the possible UN sanctions on arms to Zimbababwe might stop a few people dying! Having seen ‘Liberty Belle’ at Kissimmee circa 2004 its great to see her up and about – I wish however she could have been kept as the engine test bed on museum display and another example restored to fly but I guess that’s supply and demand!

Just been a piece on the BBC News at 1, too.

Currently on the front of the BBC news page – though obviously not top story (Gordo is far more interesting, honest):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7496691.stm

Adrian

Glad to hear about the dog, Pete. Some of us care!

Excellent shots there.

I saw both of them flying round the M11 near to Madingley late yesterday afternoon. Even the traffic on the M11 was slowing down to watch.

I saw the BBC coverage this morning at 6:50, yes the mention of LB as a replica was very misleading for the uninitiated.
On the other hand it was a really nice unexpected start to the day, I only put the TV on for the weather forecast and got lucky.
Hopefully, BBC Look East will make a contribution to publisizing Legends and LB’s efforts prior to the show, as long as we aren’t faced with those traffic problems that arose out of the pre show TV coverage of the Spifire event.
I think it will be an early start on whichever day we choose to go, I would never buy an advanced ticket with our climate, my brother did that for Waddo and had the misfortune to have to go on the sunday, he’s not repeating that disaster this weekend.
As for todays apparent flight round the East Anglian airfields, forget it, the weather is appalling down here today, I doubt whether they would even be happy about flying out of neccessity in 1943.
Incidentally, was anyone on the ground at the US cemetery at Madingley during the flypast.
By the way, the dog came home, she’s ok for the moment.

I have heard from a friend that she may well be overflying these Control Towers today [Wednesday], fingers crossed

Bentwaters/Debach/Parham/Thorpe Abbotts and Horham

Can anyone confirm, if so timing would be great

I just saw the same report at 7.50 am and was baffled why they twice referred to Liberty Belle as a replica!

Is it the ‘Original’ Liberty Belle?

Brian

I would imagine it’s because she is restored as a replica of Don Brooks fathers aircraft. I have read at least one posting on the net where someone thinks it is the original Liberty Belle returning to the UK!

I’m sure thats what they intended to mean, but when one of the presenters said something along the lines of “A replica world war two bomber….” it sure gives a different impression.

I would imagine it’s because she is restored as a replica of Don Brooks fathers aircraft. I have read at least one posting on the net where someone thinks it is the original Liberty Belle returning to the UK!

I’m sorry, but envy prevents me from saying how much I enjoyed those great pictures.

Is that the British reenactment group, that normally attend Duxford, or do the Yanks have their own group (or even crew in WWII gear)?

Great Photos Darran,

BBC Breakfast just had article on Liberty Bell, nice film but persisited in calling it a replica !! Typical!!..

I just saw the same report at 7.50 am and was baffled why they twice referred to Liberty Belle as a replica!

Great Photos Darran,

BBC Breakfast just had article on Liberty Bell, nice film but persisited in calling it a replica !! Typical!!..

One of the most amazing aspects of the B-17 (Model 299) is that the design first flew in 1935. Here’s a quick chronological review of some corresponding first flights:

Vickers Wellesley: First flight June 19, 1935

Boeing Model 299: July 28, 1935

Whitworth Whitley: March 17, 1936

Vickers Wellington: June 15, 1936

Handley Page Hampden: June 21, 1936

Amazing…

THANKS, DARREN

Darren, those photos are absolutely superb! I particularly like those of the crew under the nose. The first one of those would make a great poster I’m sure!
Could I ask (as you were there!): do the crew actually operate the aircraft in WWII flying clothing or do they change into something more modern when they fly?
Thank you very much for letting us see this great work. Aerial

Living History

Quite fantastic pictures and a technicolur throwback to those dark war years. Praise indeed to the team behind Liberty Belle in making the massive effort in getting her across the pond for Legends, no mean feat when you consider the finances and distance involved. I am looking forward to seeing her this coming weekend and admiring her. Living in Suffolk i am surrounded by memories of the American occupation with old bases aplenty and its fitting that the “Belle” is here to display at Legends and fly over some of the old stations. My late father was an evacuee, from 43 to 45 and told me how as a 14 year old lad he witnessed the 1000 bomber raids forming overhead Suffolk a spectacle that both frightened and left him with a lifelong memory. Lets pray the weather gods will be kind this coming weekend and a great spectacle for all takes place.

Stunning shots – and yes a fitting tribute too… Thankyou so much for sharing these with us.