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| The Boeing B-17 was arguably one of the toughest aircraft ever constructed...It was known for taking brutal punishment, and still getting its crew home... |
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| Designed in the late 40's, this Grumman HU-16 Albatross still assists in firefighting and SAR when called upon...Lone Star Executive Airport is its permanent home... |
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| The comparative size of the B-17 to adult humans is seen here... |
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| Bandits trying to slip in behind a B-24 had to contend with twin .50's and a tailgunner determined to stay alive for another mission...It could be a very warm welcome followed by a cold plunge... |
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| Forward engine nacelles are painted red to signify a danger area to ground personnel... |
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| Wicked "Witchcraft," one of the few Consolidated B-24 Liberators left in the world kept in airworthy condition, thanks to the Collings Foundation...More than 18'000 were produced in WWII, half of them by Ford Motor Company at their present Willow Run, Michigan facility... |
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| The B-24's main landing gear folded into the wing area between engine nacelles... |
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| One B-24 was assigned strictly as a transport for British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during WWII...It never let him down, although comfort level wasn't what it is today...But Winnie never complained... |
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| The smiling sidegunner seen here manning the .50 caliber Browning is my air show buddy, whose Dad served as a bombardier on B-17''s and B-24's during WWII... |
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| Keeping a sharp lookout for bandits... |
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| Four .50's help ensure clear skies ahead... |
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| I have a friend who likes to go wake jumping on his Skidoo behind Zeus on Lake Conroe... |
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| "Witchcraft" was built by Consolidated in Fort Worth... |
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| After the war, it sat in a scrapyard in India until it was restored for flight, and served with the Indian Air Force until 1968... |
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| It was abandoned in 1981 when it was bought for scrap, disassembled and shipped to England... |
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| In 1984 it was bought by the Collings Foundation, and shipped to Massachusetts where the intention was to restore it as a static display...Instead it was restored to airworthy condition, and has served as a flying museum since 1989, thrilling countless millions of people... |
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| Inside the B-17... |
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| Two more .50's up top... |
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| A civilian team passing by in formation... |
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| Taking off... |
