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From the lens The B-17 Flying Fortress|B-17 Crews of WW2.

  • Tolovaj Mar 7, 2012 @ 12:57 pm | delete
    Impressive machines. I am glad I never encountered one of them...
  • d-artist Jan 24, 2012 @ 9:41 am | delete
    You know that I still remember the sound of those plans flying over us. When we go to an airshow and I hear the sound of these planes, I actually get flashbacks feeling like a little girl again in Germany, my mom running to get me into the cellar.
  • Cody1947 Aug 30, 2011 @ 5:51 am | delete
    Here are two other great sites on B-17's:
    http://sites.google.com/site/swampfiresite/home
    and
    https://sites.google.com/site/379thbgnoseart/
  • COUNTRYLUTHIER Aug 30, 2011 @ 12:03 am | delete
    Rosie the riveter did good work! Great lens. Thanks for sharing.
  • SlipAwayDesigns Jun 29, 2011 @ 10:23 am | delete
    Great lens! I LOVE Bomber nose art, it is a bit of an obsession of mine. Those guys that flew in World War 2 had brass balls!, I just moved back from Schweinfurt, Germany where the allies lost many lives trying to take out the ball bearing factories on "Black Thursday" Thanks again!
  • Cody1947 Aug 30, 2011 @ 5:48 am | delete
    Here is a great site for nose Art on the 379th BG:

    https://sites.google.com/site/379thbgnoseart/
  • com2 Apr 25, 2011 @ 7:17 pm | delete
    Amazing aircraft. It must have been something flying these for hours on a mission.
  • Dirtfarming Apr 25, 2011 @ 1:59 pm | delete
    Cool Stuff, love these old planes.
  • Makoo Jan 20, 2011 @ 11:12 pm | delete
    Love these old planes from ww2.
  • Thomas C. Fritz Aug 3, 2010 @ 11:21 am | delete
    I'am looking for information on James Blaine Crozier, my uncle, who was a navigator on a B17. Most of my info on him has been lost through the years. I remember he was in the Army Air Corps in England, and somthing about him on temp duty with the RAF. Any information on him (bomb group, plane,ect) would be greatly appreciated.
  • Doug Butler Jul 25, 2010 @ 10:55 pm | delete
    My dad was a B-17 navigator with the 379th, 525th squadron and POW at Stalag Luft III and Mooseberg. We recently discovered his original POW letters sent from Sagen from October 43 to April 45, and couple letters he received while imprisoned. The letters are a tangible and grim reminder of the sacrifices our fathers endured so we can live free.

    Thank you for designing a website with so much relevant content.

    dbutler101@gmail.com
  • cody1947 Jul 26, 2010 @ 1:44 pm | delete
    What was your Dad's name. I have all of the records of the 379th. contact: swampfire1944@gmail.com
  • JetAviator7 Jul 9, 2010 @ 2:57 pm | delete
    While I was way too young for the Second World War, I certainly remember all of the early movies about it, and the prominent role the B17 Flying Fortress aircraft played in it.

    A few years back I had the chance to walk through one, and have always wanted to take a ride in one. Maybe some day!

    JetAviator7, ATP Pilot and Aviation Nut!
  • Brenda Speer Jun 20, 2010 @ 9:11 pm | delete
    My dad was a top turret gunner on a B17 during WWII. He was a member of the 388th, I think. I am so proud of who my dad was (he died in December 2003). His plane was shot down and he and the entire crew were prisoners of war at Stalag 17 in Krems, Austra. I thank each of the men and women who faught to give me and my family the freedoms we have today. I enjoyed this website and looking at the B17. Thank you so much.
  • Doug Jun 10, 2010 @ 6:09 pm | delete
    I missed a letter in my email. It is bigskythree@msn.com
  • Doug Jun 10, 2010 @ 2:28 pm | delete
    I have an original A.A.F. Publications Pilots Flight Operating Instructions manual for the C-47 (all models), the B-25 and PBJ-1H, the A-20G-1-DO, P70A-2, and P70B-2, Boston IV, and the P-38H, P-38J-5, F-5B-1, the B17F, Fortress II. The manual is complete and in excellent condition. It appears to have been issued to a Lt. H.H. Palmer. bigskyhree@msn.com
  • Lon Elrod May 7, 2010 @ 9:46 pm | delete
    Looking for anyone who may have been on or had relatives on a B-17 in WWII named NEIDER'S NINE. My grandfather was the top turret gunner.This plane flew 26 misions over germany, and was almost shot down once, made it home on only one engine. If you know of this plane or crew please e mail me @ night_deamon@yahoo.com. thank you
  • Cody1947 May 6, 2010 @ 7:32 am | delete
    I have talked with a few people who have adopted aircraft from the 379th
    and are trying to research their history. What a concept if everyone
    would adopt a B-17 or two and collect it's war time experiences. We
    would have a history that no Bomb Group or association could match
    because of the man hours it takes to do th...is kind of research. I think
    it would help them preserve the history and events so much more.
  • Reviewer D. H. Brown, Vietnam Vet & author Feb 22, 2010 @ 10:58 am | delete
    Recommend a new book of evocative family letters & memorabilia of a Wilmington, Delaware son's journey ('41-'45) from college boy to B-17 (Blue Hen Chick) pilot out of Rattlesden in Suffolk, England: AN AMERICAN FAMILY IN WORLD WAR II edited by Captain Ralph L. Minker, Sandra O'Connell & Harry Butowsky.
  • Cody1947 Jan 29, 2010 @ 7:44 am | delete
    I am looking for Info and photos of Air Combat Crews or Ground Crewmen of an aircraft called the "Swamp Fire". If you are a relative of an airman & are not sure, you can go to our website - Missions & Crews Section - scroll down for names of former crewmen. If you recognize any please contact me. Website:
    http://sites.google.com/site/swampfiresite/home
  • Cody1947 Jan 29, 2010 @ 6:44 am | delete
    I am looking for info and photos of the air combat crews & ground crewmen who flew on a B-17 assigned to the 524th Squadron 379th Bg in Kimbolton, England. Nose art name of "Swamp Fire" - a/c #20292 - s/n 42-32024. If you are a family member and are unsure visit our website and click on the Missions & Crews Section for a list of names:
    http://sites.google.com/site/swampfiresite/home.
  • tom mclaughlin Dec 22, 2009 @ 3:08 pm | delete
    Need info on a James Farrar. Flew 50+ missions. Sadly as many of this Great Generation died without recognition.
  • Sharon61 Aug 30, 2009 @ 9:05 am | in reply to SHARON 54 | delete
    Hi Sharon,
    I recently joined the 8th Army Air Force Historical Society which has a quarterly news magazine. When I read your question that story immediately came to mind. I read it in the 8ths mag. Yes, it is true, it was part of "TAPS" (the obituary) section of the magazine. Charles L. Brown died within the last year, the magazine coming out in March 2009. The story: Lt. Charles Brown was on his first mission as a command pilot in a B-17 bomber (379th BG). He was all of 21 years old! His plane was hit heavily by enemy fighters and flak. Limping home, a German fighter intercepted and indicated x2 for them to land. Lt. Brown refused fearing for his mens safety once down ; many of them needed critical medical care.The German pilot recognized the courage in his counterpart. The German fighter escorted the allied bomber to the coast, pointed a compass heading to the U.K., then saluted to his adversary. 45 years later they met and became as close as brothers!
  • SHARON 54 Aug 2, 2009 @ 7:19 am | delete
    MY DAD SAW AN EMAIL WITH A PICTURE OF A PAINTING EMBEDDED IN IT. THE PAINTING WAS OF A BADLY SHOT UP B-17 BEING ESCORTED TO THE COAST BY A GERMAN ME-109. THE B-17 WAS CALLED "YE OLD PUB" AND FLEW OUT OF KIMBOLTON ENGLAND. THE PILOTS WERE CHARLIE BROWN AND FRANZ STIGLER. THE PILOTS MET MANY YEARS LATER AT A 379TH BOMBER GROUP REUNION. FACT OR FICTION? I WANT TO BUY THE PRINT FOR MY DAD. CAN ANYONE HELP ME, PLEASE?
  • Cody1947 May 6, 2010 @ 7:35 am | delete
    What was your Dad's name? Was he in the 8th USAAF? Or is he just a fan of B-17's.
  • d-artist Jan 24, 2012 @ 9:30 am | delete
    SHARON 54 have you ever found this print? it's called "A Higher Call" December 20, 1943 by John D. Shaw and can be easily found on the internet
  • johnny garcia May 2, 2009 @ 10:15 am | delete
    As a son of a b-17 belly gunner and a combat crewman from viet-nam i appreciate the effort and stories of the men from this era. they are my heroes as was my father. He completed all missions over germany untnil his last when he was shot down and spent two years in prison camp.
    i'm proud of my fathers committment to his country and proud of all of our servicemen for what they accomplish. i'm not proud of the direction our country has taken, nuf said!
  • Cody1947 May 6, 2010 @ 7:37 am | delete
    What is your Dad's name and unit? I have all records of the 379th BG?
  • Sarah Fitzgerald Mar 15, 2009 @ 12:56 pm | delete
    thanks for the helpful information.... hopefully i can win the free ride on the B-17 my squadron is awarding to the most diligent cadet :R
  • Liam_Tohms Feb 5, 2009 @ 11:20 am | delete
    Great lens, why not join the Flying and Aviation group today?
  • Susan52 Oct 11, 2008 @ 11:49 am | delete
    I've been on one of these planes. Awesome! That video of the plane flying is outstanding. Love the lens!
  • BFuniv.com Apr 24, 2008 @ 1:39 pm | delete
    in Big Bear, a resort town above LA, they still have a few waist gunner training simulators (B&W film and a movable carriage) in an arcade. Drifting back in time ...

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