Wilbur "Hank" Hendrix, B17 Flying Fortress Crew Chief

Wilbur Harold "Hank" Hendrix was a B-17 crew chief during the WWII serving in the Eighth Air Force from 1943-1945. Hendrix was stationed in England for much of the war, leading a crew of three that performed maintenance on B-17s that flew bombing missions over Germany. Unlike flight crews who flew the required number of missions and went home, ground crew spent years in England accumulating many stories along the way. Listen to Hendrix recall those stories including the challenges of keeping a Flying Fortress in the air. Hendrix passed away in October 2021 at the age of 100.

[@ryanquintana3739]

This is awesome. Please post more this generation is almost gone.

[@johnfranklin8319]

I’m always struck by the stark difference in appearance of a brand new looking restored WW2 plane compared to the planes in action with oil streaks coming off the engines and back across the wings and looking “used”.

[@sidevalve45]

Thank you Hank for your service and you Raymond for doing what you do so well.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Much appreciated and thanks for watching. Raymond

[@markharnitchek9205]

thank you Raymond ... i appreciate everyone of your interviews ... many years from now, some historian will make great use of your many oral interviews ... this is important work ... and i appreciate you including the ground personnel that kept those a/c flying.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you. Much appreciated. Raymond

[@mattfoley6082]

Landing plane in the fog before radar. I can't imagine the terror.

[@flaviojunior4218]

Rest in Peace, Hank!

[@billwilson79tc78]

Awesome, thanks.

[@kerickwalters2749]

Thank you Ray!!!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're very welcome. Ray

[@mariellouise1]

Very good interviewer. Fascinating story.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you. Raymond

[@nelsonde]

Thank you for this.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You are very welcome. Raymond

[@gregmitchell4619]

What a gem. Thanks again Raymond.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Very welcome and thanks for watching. Raymond

[@qaze0338]

Always inspiring…🙂🇺🇸

[@Buce-ku9vx]

Would've loved to party with this troop back in the day. Bet he was a blast. Nice man.

[@jamesburns2232]

With Hank, you know he's telling the truth because everything he recalls is "matter of fact" without any
embellishment or arrogance. 🤠

[@gregmitchell4619]

I wish Raymonds interviews were taught in history classes thruout theunited states.

[@Hanshi64]

Battle of the Bulge Dec 16 1944

[@irish89055]

Great interview...no way you'd get it done today with these Millennial and gen Z's

[@user-fi2ix7mr6i]

Wow the stress,36 hour days, living to 96 yrs old,raised on a farm,went thru the depression,no cushion life. Just puts a chill down your spine for RESPECT to this man and his generation 💪🙏

[@TheBlues088]

This channel is a treasure. I want to send you some money as a thank to you, how can I do it?

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you but the better donation, which is tax deductible, would be to the 390th Museum located in Tucson, AZ. Thanks for the kind thought. Raymond

[@gregmitchell4619]

Thanks

[@Buce-ku9vx]

Another good one. 🫵👊👍. Thanks for this.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for watching. Raymond