Liberty Belle Europe Trip Pics As Promised...

[Wittpilot]

I know I promised pictures dang near 6 months ago... but, life has been hectic so what can I say... Better late than never eh? Won't say much, I'll let the pictures do the talking... more to come though... Just a few from the trip over... Red Arrows were in Greenland at the same time...go figure...


Crew getting ready to leave Maine...
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/789/england081483ej0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7666/pict2932hw1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Yep, that's ice....BIG chunk of ice..

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/6765/pict2924jk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/5733/pict2944lw0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Out of focus picture of my dad shivering.... he said it was cold...very cold...

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4742/pict3328ny1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Days later...Nice & Warm at Duxford...

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4875/pict2995kr2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Panther_99FS]

Ah the cold....
Gives you a definite appreciation as to what WW-II aircrews experienced....

Nice shots! :)

[Wittpilot]

Yeah, and just think Panther, they were only flying at like 7,000ft in that picture...mind you it was over the N. Atlantic...but still....it was a freezing cold...

[N2056]

What an amazing adventure for your Dad. I bet he's got some great stories to tell about the trip! Thanks for sharing the pics. :applause:

[Gdavis101]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[Lionheart]

What an adventure!! Thanks for sharing this Witt.

:ernae:



Bill

[Wittpilot]

Like I said I think there is something like 3,000 some pictures taken by my family so I will post some more this evening.
-Witt

[grunau_baby]

WOW, I like that view from the navigator-station through the nose windows!!! Thanks for sharing!:applause:

Alex

[lifejogger]

Great pictures!!! I would have loved to have gone on a flight like that.
Look forward to seeing some more.

[Cazzie]

Awesome Witt, thanks so much for sharing. :applause::applause::applause:

Caz

[Wiens]

Great pictures, Witt!!!

Keep them coming........:woot:

Kevin

[Mithrin]

Nice pictures. Thanks a lot for sharing!

[Curtis P40]

:bananajump: SWEET. Keep them come'n. Keep'em Flying.
Curt

[GT182]

Great pics Witt. Has your dad or family thought of doing a book? I'd sure buy a copy. That would be great so more can see the history and time involved.

[Wittpilot]

Round 2...

My brother... Ignore his facial expression... he's 17 in this picture... that should explain it...

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8337/pict3159rg2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/6392/pict3170vn3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Flightline at Duxford

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4739/pict3235od1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Someone had a uniform for my dad.... taken on the Framlingham tower..

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1163/57735226wx4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Wittpilot]

Gary,
Actually there was a film crew that flew over on Liberty Belle.... They are suppose to be making a nice little documentary about the trip... Unfortunately I have no idea on any of the details...

-witt

[Curtis P40]

:monkies: Wow!! Reliven History Wow!!
Curt

[Wittpilot]

This is the location of my grandfather's hardstand.


http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5880/england08520jw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Now three pictures that I thought were most moving...



http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/3640/england082499ht7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

My brother looking out into the distance.... imagining all those B-17's across the field... although now silent, he says if you listen closely, you can still hear a low roar out into the distance..........

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/2088/england082431fa3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



Lest we ever forget................

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/8726/england082929wj1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[dadmod]

Thanks for sharing, Witt...what an experience...

[Snuffy]

Thanks for sharing Witt!

Excellent shots and memories for your Dad and Brother I'm sure. :woot:

[lifejogger]

Love the pictures Witt. I never get tired of looking at the old warbirds.

Thanks for posting.

[GT182]

Witt, a documentary of the trip sounds great. But I'm asking if you guys have given any thoughts of doing a book from all the pictures taken. Without looking I think you said 3000+. That's more than enough for an excellent book of photos. Be great for your dad and you guys to be published too.

Forgive me but these photos need to be preserved somehow. IMHO a book would be the best way and so many more could see a piece of history not normally seen. Something to think about...... ;) And I have a feeling there's a ton of us right here at SOH that would buy a copy or two. I would, and I'd want an autographed copy at that. Plus think of the sales over in jolly GB and Europe Many over there would buy it too. I've never seen a book from the Duxford gatherings anywhere. Someday there might not be any of these warbirds flying, or very few.

[Wittpilot]

I will send your sentiments to my parents Gary... I know what you mean... It would be nice. They did make DVD'S for everyone in the family... actually two DVD's...one for the photos and one for the video my dad took with my video camera on the trip over. Your suggestion makes me think of that website lulu.com.... It woudl be perferct for your idea... who knows, maybe someday... It would be nice to put something together and sell it at the bookstore at the 390th museum...

-witt

[Willy]

Witt, they could also make some book sales while out doing the warbird circuit. I think the book idea is an outstanding one that could make a little money for Liberty Belle.

[mrogers]

I'm with Willy on the book idea. Sounds excellent, it would help with funds for Liberty Belle.

[Lionheart]

Thanks Witt!

:ernae:



Bill

[GT182]

Yep, that's was my intention... a book to raise funds.

And maybe a calender too. Everyone here and the other aviation sites would jump on them also.

There's a lot of fundraiser potental with those 2 ideas Witt. I haven't had a good WWII aviation calender since the Bombs Away calenders a few years ago. Sadly they don't make them anymore.... or they're not sold in my neck of the woods. Just for the Stokes Art in them they were well worth the 13.95 cost.

[Wittpilot]

Gary,

I think I had that calender too... full of Stan Stokes prints? If so, I actually cut out some of those prints... (the 909 painting, and the one of the Dauntless dive-bombing the Japanese carrier) and put them with cheap matting from Meijer, and framed them with silver metal frames.... they look half decent, and probably paid maybe $10 to do both frames and matts.....

-witt

[GT182]

Yep, that's the one Witt. I've got 3 or 4 of the Bombs Away calenders.... all still in one piece. My intention was to put his prints in frames as you did.

BTW, I have one of Stan's original prints of "909" right here that I got off of EBay.... for 25.00 shipped. :d

I say you and your dad must have some great photos from the trip that would be great for a calender.

[Wittpilot]

Gary,

As I said, I passed along what you, and others said about a type of publication about the trip... I guess he already has something cooking... He is going to be getting something uploaded to lulu in the future which will be available for sale... there will not be huge profits involved... right now it looks like he might do 100 pages b&w...and it will roughly cost I think about $7 a copy... and you can order them right off the site...

So, Gary, I'll go ahead and mark you down for 1 copy.... :applause:.... kidding... but I will let everyone know when/if it is done.....

-witt

[stiz]

or they're not sold in my neck of the woods

think thats the case, i've had 3 brilliant ww2 aviation calanders brought for me each christmas, for well, 3 years :jump: