Dan, she’s a fine ship. Would love to try her off a carrier. I tip my hat to those that did. We are indeed priveleged to be part of this living history…

The New Zealanders should be ashamed of themselves for letting the ‘lickers’ take control of a great place. Helen thinks that there is too much testostorene in military jets….boys having fun etc. Like all Govt disposal deals, the so-called pubic servants and the pollies can’t sell ice to an arab…in Oz we had the C-130A/Tracker/Mirage sale debacles so we can’t laugh althogh we still have an air force with force….

Dan is the man,,,,,very good job.

I’ll copy it [with your permission of course] and place it next to the photos of my aircraft. Owning and flying the Avenger has been one of life’s great experiences for me…nearly took Glenn Close flying in it when I had the aircraft in the remake of the movie “South Pacific”…better than that I’ve flown my wife [who’s from Atlanta] and is a real [I]Georgia Peach..

My father-in-law’s mighty B-17..

My father-in-law’s main crticism of Memphis Belle – the modern movie was that the crew clothing etc looked much neater than it actually was. Oil stain/layers of non standard clothes etc were the order of the day according to him. He flew the original Memphis Belle when it was one of the three original TB-17’s assigned to his newly formed 815th BS of the 483rd BG. Wasn’t known by that name he said, but rather by a training side number…. 😮

How about a bomber crew – B-17 “BIG YANK” 840th BS 483rd BG

😉 March 24, 1945 was a day of records by the crew of “BIG YANK” and the 483rd BG

* Most German Jets destroyed by a single bomb group on one mission – Six.
* Most German Jets destroyed by one bomb group for the entire war – Seven.
* Most German Jets destroyed by a single crew on one mission – Three.
* Most German Jets destroyed by a single crew for the entire war – Three.
* Most German Jets destroyed by a single gunner, Broyhill, on one mission – Two.
* Most German Jets destroyed by a single gunner, Broyhill, for entire war – Two.
* Most German Jets destroyed by a single bomber for entire war – Three.

undefinedMy father-in-law flew with 483rd BG on two B-17’s. G-model “Flak Happy” and F-model “Chief Wahoo”

Having owned and flown a variety of warbirds for more than two decades, I feel that it is a bit of a shame that we debate these issues without real knowledge and it also seems to me that lots of speculation combined with a little bit of knowlege can become a very negative event. Let me say that owning and flying these fantastic machines provides much pleasure and enjoyment to many however flying warbirds can involve considerable risk to those concerned whether it be personal injury[ or death]/loss of machinery/financial or whatever.

We are here because we love the machines and what they represent. Let’s not spoilt the it and keep some semblence of decorum and enjoyment for all.

Oscar Duck