Well, today, October 18th was my 46th birthday. I say this not to elicit birthday wishes, but it coincided with a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24J Liberator coming to Tri Cities TN/VA regional airport. What a treat. I thought I would post some photos of these aircraft. I am the one in the yellow shirt. With me was JPTRR Fred Boucher and a former Army helicopter pilot who also had some fixed wing time. Hope you enjoy looking. I was thrilled to say the least. I had never seen "Witchcraft" the B-24 before so it was a special treat for me indeed. Enjoy. Russell

Happy birthday Russell!

Great photos. Hope you post the video of the Fort running up.

About your pals -- all I can say is Dude, loose the horizontal stripes!

Russell again, here are two short videos I took of the B-17 running it's engines up. The little guy in one video seems interested in what is going on. Enjoy. Russell

http://youtu.be/WXmRgiTLISw

http://youtu.be/LbAKenwDucU

Here are some of my pix of the event.

First, sharp-eye Siderius noted that one of Witchcraft's props has a big modeling no-no that would get it laughed out of most model shows: a decal with silvered film!


Notice the spatter on the blade.

What's that? A big unfilled unsanded gap between nacelle and wing!? Unacceptable!

On a serious note. Crewmen had to move across the bomb bay catwalk, in flight, often under fire. Wearing bulky leather insulated flightsuits, usually with various pieces of equipment strapped on. Perhaps with slippery fluids attacking their step.

None of which I am contending with in these two pics. My shoulders will not even fit between the bomb racks! I can not imagine what it was like!


Please forgive the expression in the photo. Let us reflect upon what those young men endured.