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It seems the Collings Foundations B-17 '909' has crashed today in Connecticut, with casualties. My heart goes out to the people involved.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...68952cae_h.jpg
I had a flight a short while ago in the Dutch Catalina, just days before it went to the Collings Foundation. They are old, these aircraft, and almost irreplaceable, but I do hope it will remain possible to see these vintage aircraft in the air..
Very sad indeed, Roger Wilco 66 and I have taken a flight on the Aluminum Overcast. My thoughts are for the injured and the families of the lost.
Oh man... That is really sad.
It is very sad and my heart goes out to the families affected. I'm always torn somewhat; I'm a rabid warbird fan and love seeing them fly but I sometimes wonder if at some point they shouldn't. I thought it was interesting recently when I learned of some British (I think) warbirds that are kept in running condition but limited to ground runs and taxiing. But I must admit, seeing them take flight is inspiring.
I read about this sad accident yesterday. As Tom mentioned, we had the honour to fly in "Aluminum Overcast" a few years ago, which was an awesome experience.
As terrible as it is, I think it is good that a number of them are kept flying as long as the airframes can take it and the structural integrity is intact.
Cheers,
Mark
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I've just been devastated today. I got to fly Nine-O-Nine back in 1999, as I was working on an article on Hasbro/Microprose's B-17 Flying Fortress II game. Those poor people, excited as I was, to have things end this way.
Here is a video I made a few years back at the Yakima Airshow in 1992. I forgot to mention, I went to an estate sale last Friday and found a wall photo of a B-17G Cockpit and a photo of the Nine O Nine in flight.. Strange coincidence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqh9ipBSf3M
I flew on Nine-O-Nine about 20 years ago and I have seen her multiple times, she even overflew my house on several occasions. I was devastated when I heard that she crashed and it was even worse that she claimed the lives of 7 of the 13 who were aboard at the time.