This was such a fantastic experience seeing the iconic war plane in such great shape .....there is nothing like it and there are yearly flights in Az if you are interested in taking a flight in one. The men back then were tough as nails and we have such admiration and respect for them. If you have stories of the men who flew this incredible aircraft, we would like to hear them so leave us a comment below as we know everyone will enjoy reading them too. Did that Blow them pants off.....wait until you see the next video ....best go Commando style to safe yourself a pair.
Thanks for making and postin this Jeff! It’s 80yrs since WWII and too many people of the younger generations like mine forget how courageous these men were. And they are not celebrated enough.
Certainly appreciate you putting this on here! It’s amazing what that plane could do…and how tough it really was ….and how dangerous it was all at the same time. I’ve grown up in aviation …built a lot of models ..flown in lots of planes… been to a lot of airshows with my Dad, and it never gets old to me. Thanks Jeff! ⛏⛏⛏💯💯💯👍👍👍
Hey Jeff, hope all is well. My grandfather Sigs (RIP) was a B17G co-pilot with the 398th Bomb Group based out of England. His entire crew was shot down over Germany by flak on their 18th mission, I believe, and parachuted into enemy hands to spend 9 months in a nazi pow camp. He didn't speak much of it but I was only 10 or 11 when he passed. He used to take me to their reunions when I was knee high to a grasshopper and we got to play around a little in them lol. He is my hero man and I think about him every single day. Thanks for sharing your experience Jeff cause that was super cool. Peace 🤘⛏️🇺🇲
Dude what cool opportunity!!!! My Grandfather was a tail gunner in the B17 WWII. 52 missions over Germany. He and 1 other were the only surviving members of their platoon. God Bless🇺🇸
LOVE THIS PLACE !!! My Uncle's 446th Bomb Group is immortalized there !! He piloted a B-24 Liberator named "Ronnie." There's a picture of it on the wall. He was in the 307th Squadron. The Bungay Buckaroo B-24 at this museum was originally called "Red Ass" during the war. My Uncle's name, Capt. Donald A Messick, is listed on the wall !
My family has a photo of my great grandfather standing next to the Enola Gay, heard many stories of the Flying Fortress and was always told it was the best aircraft ever made and flown. Listening to that gentleman say how proud he was to sit in that turret for his country was definitely a goosebumps and teary eye moment. Loved this one a lot Jeff. Thank you!
My uncle restores planes like this. It's really cool to see how they are built. And cause of the quality there are some of these still around they can take a liking and keep on ticking. One he'll of a magnificent engineering.
As an exmilitary veteran just of the early 2000s though and a miner and mine explorer I couldn't be more proud and sad at the same time!! Those old bombers were bare bones death machines with almost no safety anything and to not die you had to rely on your crewmen 100% to keep each other alive and the machine still running OR everyone dies!!! Fascinating history..
My grandfather was a tailgunner in a b17. He flew from britain to bomb the germans. He survived and was a member of the lucky bastards club if you know about that. Thanks for the trip jeff!!
Thanks Jeff. As an Air force vet Married to a 34 year retiree, there isn't a day that goes by I don't think about the people, the friends, the family, that did what they did for this country, so the rest of us can do what we do.
5:23 that would be a top turret for the Dorsal Gunner. 6:04 All that racket and people shooting at you too! Those things really took a beating. There used to be a poem:" Tiny flowers that grow in the sky, tiny black flowers that make men die." *And that is why we still call them "The Greatest Generation."
My family and I were at the Tucson Air and Space museum Sunday morning. The B-17 exhibit and the people running it are awesome!!! 😎👍🏻 We also visited the Titan missile museum, highly recommend if you haven't been yet.
The storys of WW2 always put tears in my eyes we all have family that had something to do in that war like my grandfather and he's brother that were never the same he never talked about what he experienced in the war with he's brothers not all of them came back ...🥺☹️😢
B-17 on display at McMinnville Oregon, parked below the spruce goose. The tail feathers were wider than the 17s wing span. Got to go thru interior of 17, they weren't built for comfort. Great video bud.
That’s a beautiful G model. I haven’t been fortunate enough to fly in one, but i was lucky enough to have been in one and sat in the ball turret before watching it fly.
great off topic content. airplane from that Era are my favorite 😍 💜 💓. so much so, I schooled myself in propeller repair and got my FAA license to work on Hamilton Standard propellers. they happen to be on the majority of the old warbirds. what a privilege is was to get upclose and personal with these old planes. glad people are keeping them alive and flying
I give those boys all the credit in the world. And out of all the jobs you could do in WW-ll I think they were in Gods hands, because it was a simple matter of time before it was curtains. I paid $300 for a ride in a WW-ll fighter, I’ll never forget that 30 minute ride. But this isn’t about me. It’s about what those boys went threw. That was awesome Jeff thanx for the video🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My dad actually got to fly a B-17 back in 1999 it’s name was (aluminum overcast) he’s been a certified flight instructor since 1969…. he was in the US Army stationed in Germany in the early 60s. He used to see those flying over as a child born in 1940 always wanted to fly one and he got to actually fly a B-17 in ‘99, And the regular pilots asked him ….where he wanted to fly? He got to fly over his small country hometown , and he flew over the fields where he saw them as a child. They gave him his dream of flying he saw them practicing for the war in the early 1940s …finally everything came full circle. I got photos of him in the cockpit smiling… with his aviator glasses and his headset on beside the copilot. They even gave him a bomber jacket with his name. The whole back of the bomber jacket, is the plane he flew. All the controls are cabled …no hydraulics were used for the yoke controls…and he said it flew very heavy, because it was all mechanically driven from those cables, as you can see in your video. They knew hydraulics would not last long with bullets flying. Planes he flew over the years were all cable driven… but nothing that big, he flew twin engines and Cessnas …but nothing that big. It wasn’t cheap.. not long after that they quit letting the public fly the plane. I’m so glad I talked him into doing it.
@@Askjeffwilliams Yes….it was a once in a lifetime thing, that was meant to be for him! He didn’t have any idea that day …where they were flying, and that happened to be near where he grew up. You’re very welcome Jeff. I appreciate you Covering the B-17 on your channel! It Was Awesome to see!💯
My dad flew on a B-17 over Europe acting as bombardier/nose gunner from 1943-45. He was based in Italy with the 346th Bomber Squadron, 99th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force. I flew on Aluminum Overcast several years back and took my Mom, who loved every minute of it.
I know exactly how you feel! I caught a ride on EAA's B-17G Aluminum Overcast a few years back and oh what a ride! We were on the last ride of the day so they kept us up for over an hour. I could not get over how loud it was inside. I can't even imagine how it must have been for the crews during the war. The sound, the cold and not to mention being shot at. Getting to ride in one of these historical aircraft was certainly a one in a lifetime experience I'll never forget. Welcome to the club Jeff!
Congratulations Jeff!! Once in a lifetime experience, the honor and courage those men had to give us our freedom to "git that gold".. lest we forget..never.. Thank you Jeff!!!
What an awesome video, I got to take a tour inside a B17 when I was 9 years old. I always wondered how hectic it must have been when they were attacked and all guns were firing. Thanks for taking the time to share that experience!
What an adventure Jeff, thanks for this presentation. It’s those young men then, now old men who fought to keep the dream alive. I doff my hat to them.
Fantastic video! I love B-17s too! I took a ride in EAA's Aluminum Overcast B-17G back in 2013. It's the only video I have up on my youtube page if anybody wants to take a look. I did the ride at Boeing Field in Seattle where they actually had a plant building the B-17s in World War 2, so that was kind of cool. It was the ride of a lifetime!
That poem was an absolute gut punch at the last line. I had an English teacher in junior high school who flew in a B-17 during WW2. He took a piece of shrapnel to the chest, but it hit him flat face on, so his flak jacket took much of the impact and saved his life. The impact broke several of his ribs, but because he didn't bleed externally, he wasn't awarded a Purple Heart.
What a beautiful aircraft, a tribute to those men of iron who sacrificed so much in the name of Freedom. We should never forget that there is a high price to be paid to be able to walk in a free land. What a excellent experience to have Jeff. Thank you for taking us along.
What an amazing video and even more amazing aircraft,im so glad these B-17s are being preserved and still flying. My Grandfather fought in WW2 European Theater.
Isn't is great the folks that follow Jeff's adventures can relate to this video with their own endless stories of Fathers and Grandfathers. The same crowd of folks that love the idea of hunting gold, all share the same Love of Country.
First of all Thank you to all the past , present and future personnel who dedicate there lives for this country . You lucky dog Jeff WOW 😲 get to play and ride in the flying fortress . Playing on the farm I mean working some of the farmers was in the war and would tell stories about being up there with hell breaking loose and seeing friends not making it back . Those guys are real men toughest physically and mentally thank you once again 😁👍🏾🌵
Beautifully done Jeff. I couldn't imagine how they must have felt the first time they sat or knelt behind the glass. Cheers to all the brave men who faced such adversities.
Great video always loved listening to my great uncle tell stories about ww2. Yeah people back then was tougher and would die for this great country. I don't know about nowadays.
My step-daughter took care of the Memphis Belle when it was in Memphis on Mud-Island. She made friends with Capt Morgan… now she’s at Wright-Patterson AFB- where she’s been restored and better preserved. Took lots of guts to fly in these planes!
This was an awesome video about the B-17 Flying Fortress and the men that few in it. Gave me a totally new perspective on this aircraft and what it was like to be in it. At about 6:03 the noise from being in that bottom ball turret was incredible and shocking, just amazing footage. Our people gave a lot during WWII for our freedom and many Americans now disrespect what our Veterans have done, especially our politicians. No honor, accept when it benefits them. Thanks for this nice glimpse into our past Jeff. Looking forward to the next video too.
The last part of the video at 7:00 until the end had me in tears. These guys are true heroes and I can't imagine the hell they saw. The music you chose and the writing at the end of the video were on point. Who wrote that? What's that piano song called?
That right there is the best Gold 👀💯a person can have is the memory's of the Best Generation of Brave Souls that a country can be proud of. Those boys fought for all our freedoms and a 🙏lot of them didn't make it back. 🙏Those aircraft our Awesome too.👀💯 God Bless them and the U.S.A. ✌☮✌
As an Air Force Vet, I really loved this video. I have never had a chance to fly in the Fortress, but did the F4-E. We flew over Death Valley. It was fantastic
This one hit home Jeff, one of my uncles was a ball turret gunner and on one of their missions they had a mid-air collision and the plain broke in two and they had to bell out over enemy territory. The real kicker to this story though is he was caught and smuggled out of the area by a germen officer who was an American citizen that had married a germen woman and was living in Germany before the war started and was drafted into the germen army. Pace, William B-17 Ball Turret Gunner, Check it out here on youtube
That's really cool. They used to have a movie at the Kalamazoo air zoo that was 3D. The chairs vibrated and tilted smoke and smells come up through the floor it was really crazy. But you went on a bombing mission in the bomber and it was 3-D. But it doesn't compare to your ride. Good going
Absolutely incredible! I couldn't even imagine the thoughts running through one's head being in one of those. By the way, what's up with the blackout @ 9:45? hahaha. Dang man, this is awesome. Really cool video, thanks for taking us along!
The closest I have been to that type of platform is when I got to go in a Lancaster bomber. The Halifax is cool but the Lancaster was definitely best 🙂 I love that you are getting around and bringing us some historical vids that are out of the ordinary. Very cool Jeff 👍
Imagine being in that thing at 30,000 feet with luftwaffe fighters hunting you down. The men back then had true grit. You would have been the perfect size for a ball turret gunner jeff.
Holy cow!! Where did you get to fire the guns? I'm guessing it was on the ground? Believe me, one .50 will get the blood goin, but two? That right there _Had_ to blow your pants off!! You lucky dog, you! That is a special treat to fly onboard one of those girls!! Not many left, and fewer still that are air worthy. Those ball turret guys needed a separate ground crew ... _To help load those brass balls they carry around!_ The first iterations of the bottom ball had no access to the inside. Take off to landing, you had what was arguably the best view in the house! But, like you said, if the landing gear won't go down and they couldn't bailout before they landed... Sometimes they couldn't get the hatch open if they lost hydraulics, if you were looking down the hatch was blocked. Later versions of the ball had access to the plane. Although there was still the risk of the ball getting stuck in a bad position, either from hydraulic failure or flak damage. But those ball turrets kept a lot of fighters at bay. Before them your enemy had easy access to the bottom of your bomber. Anywho, I went in a tangent. But it's something that's close to my heart. Stay safe out there! *_And tell Slim I said hi!!_*
Later models of the b17 had the ability to let the ball turret gunner out of the ball from inside by rotating the ball turret so the door faced into the belly of the plane.
It's such an exciting aircraft it's is firepower, yet strangly terrifying in its design for the airmen. What a great video Jeff!!! I love the end! You really and truly freel the impact and sacrifice of these servicemen that took this dangerous and selfless role...
That is so awesome I did a science fair project on the B-17 when I was young I sent a request to Wright Patterson AFB and they sent me tons of declassified info on it and it’s been a dream of mine every since to fly in one, I’m definitely jealous brother. 👍✌️
Jeff there should be two black levers at the back of the lower turret ball. Pull both of them at the same time for a real fun time. More fun without a parachute - trust me!
Am I the only one who burst out bawling? Many people today have no idea the meaning of the words "Bravery and Valor". Shame on them. Today, we throw away what those brave men fought so hard to secure for us. May God bless.
Awesome vid Jeff! I love old military planes, ships, submarines, etc. Thanks for showing the bits of the vintage films and the interviews of the men that served on those old planes.
Kool, Sunny Jim..............So Lets GO......hahahah,,,,,,,,,TWO 50,s for me plez.....What an Experience........Most Excellent and most Informative Video.......Thanks Old Son...........JB..✌
Hey, Sunny Jeff, GOOD TO.SEE THIS VIDEO BRO. I served in the US Army Aviations C-18 -4 and always respected these Amazing American Aeronautical Arsenals ttyl God Bless America. And the both of us and all our loved ones .
I've been to Wright-Patterson. My Great Uncle was a WW1 Flying Ace! had a wooden propeller at Great Grannies with bullet holes. Barn Stormer bi-planes. I rode in C-130 to Germany in '77(Brigade'75) watching hydraulic hoses jump around in the deafening noise,,full combat gear and packed like sardines. 2ndA.D 1st14thF.A.,,FTA. although a few land mines would be nice around Your Claims👁 I'd rather shoot the Claim Jumper,,,,make'm eat your beans and eggshell burrito first!!
This was definitely a different type of video for you Jeff and my heart goes out to all the servicemen and for all The Bravery that they've had to endure in their life no one should have had to do that but they did that for us and we should be proud of them that have served for us
😥😥😥😥😥 Go easy boys.. for those who enter that realm between glass and flake truly looks the devil and the eye and sends him running back to fire and fry. Thank you so much for this video i am very nostalgic for these men and their stories. They are all all but gone now !! Im so happy and proud to have been taight by men like the ones talking. Although they taught me things like plumbing, painting, carpentry, water well drilling, and whatnot through the years, I listened more to their war stories than I did half the lessons they try to teach me about said vocations.😁😁 Maybe that's why the price of nails went up in the 80 and 90's because I used them.all.up on a simple single project hahaha
I talk to a noise gunner of a B- 24 liberator who was in WW II in the Pacific in 1945 . He is 97 years old , he tells me great stories about flying with other planes until the end of the War . He loved to fly , he ran into his brother who was a Navy C B who helped build the airfield he was station at . He is in assisted living home the same place as my wife .
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
This was such a fantastic experience seeing the iconic war plane in such great shape .....there is nothing like it and there are yearly flights in Az if you are interested in taking a flight in one. The men back then were tough as nails and we have such admiration and respect for them. If you have stories of the men who flew this incredible aircraft, we would like to hear them so leave us a comment below as we know everyone will enjoy reading them too. Did that Blow them pants off.....wait until you see the next video ....best go Commando style to safe yourself a pair.
Thanks for making and postin this Jeff! It’s 80yrs since WWII and too many people of the younger generations like mine forget how courageous these men were. And they are not celebrated enough.
Certainly appreciate you putting this on here! It’s amazing what that plane could do…and how tough it really was ….and how dangerous it was all at the same time. I’ve grown up in aviation …built a lot of models ..flown in lots of planes… been to a lot of airshows with my Dad, and it never gets old to me. Thanks Jeff! ⛏⛏⛏💯💯💯👍👍👍
This museum is so huge you can't see it all in one day !! Hope you enjoyed yourself !!
You are the best of good eggs Jeff 👍
Hey Jeff, hope all is well. My grandfather Sigs (RIP) was a B17G co-pilot with the 398th Bomb Group based out of England. His entire crew was shot down over Germany by flak on their 18th mission, I believe, and parachuted into enemy hands to spend 9 months in a nazi pow camp. He didn't speak much of it but I was only 10 or 11 when he passed. He used to take me to their reunions when I was knee high to a grasshopper and we got to play around a little in them lol. He is my hero man and I think about him every single day. Thanks for sharing your experience Jeff cause that was super cool. Peace 🤘⛏️🇺🇲
Dude what cool opportunity!!!!
My Grandfather was a tail gunner in the B17 WWII. 52 missions over Germany. He and 1 other were the only surviving members of their platoon. God Bless🇺🇸
thank you for sharing that
Wow Jeff these planes are beautiful Thank you to all service men & women that gave us our freedom in Europe.
LOVE THIS PLACE !!! My Uncle's 446th Bomb Group is immortalized there !! He piloted a B-24 Liberator named "Ronnie." There's a picture of it on the wall. He was in the 307th Squadron. The Bungay Buckaroo B-24 at this museum was originally called "Red Ass" during the war. My Uncle's name, Capt. Donald A Messick, is listed on the wall !
thats great Allan , yep we saw it there
My family has a photo of my great grandfather standing next to the Enola Gay, heard many stories of the Flying Fortress and was always told it was the best aircraft ever made and flown. Listening to that gentleman say how proud he was to sit in that turret for his country was definitely a goosebumps and teary eye moment. Loved this one a lot Jeff. Thank you!
always our pleasure
Thanks for sharing a glimpse into a piece of the Greatest Generation. And let's not forget All the Rosey the Riveters. Stand United 🗽🇺🇸
My uncle restores planes like this. It's really cool to see how they are built. And cause of the quality there are some of these still around they can take a liking and keep on ticking. One he'll of a magnificent engineering.
I was in the air Navy during the Vietnam war on a training base in Florida. VT2 squadron. Love the planes.
thanks ...we do to
Old memories never vanished! Thank all soldiers fighting for freedom! Thank jeff💜👍
our pleasure
As an exmilitary veteran just of the early 2000s though and a miner and mine explorer I couldn't be more proud and sad at the same time!! Those old bombers were bare bones death machines with almost no safety anything and to not die you had to rely on your crewmen 100% to keep each other alive and the machine still running OR everyone dies!!! Fascinating history..
My grandfather was a tailgunner in a b17. He flew from britain to bomb the germans. He survived and was a member of the lucky bastards club if you know about that. Thanks for the trip jeff!!
Beautiful tribute. I am from the Netherlands, and to honor these brave men means a lot to me. 👍
Thanks Jeff. As an Air force vet Married to a 34 year retiree, there isn't a day that goes by I don't think about the people, the friends, the family, that did what they did for this country, so the rest of us can do what we do.
5:23 that would be a top turret for the Dorsal Gunner. 6:04 All that racket and people shooting at you too! Those things really took a beating. There used to be a poem:" Tiny flowers that grow in the sky, tiny black flowers that make men die."
*And that is why we still call them "The Greatest Generation."
That was incredibly cool. Thanks Jeff
My family and I were at the Tucson Air and Space museum Sunday morning. The B-17 exhibit and the people running it are awesome!!! 😎👍🏻 We also visited the Titan missile museum, highly recommend if you haven't been yet.
yes they are ...very good people and always ready to answer your questions
The storys of WW2 always put tears in my eyes we all have family that had something to do in that war like my grandfather and he's brother that were never the same he never talked about what he experienced in the war with he's brothers not all of them came back ...🥺☹️😢
B-17 on display at McMinnville Oregon, parked below the spruce goose. The tail feathers were wider than the 17s wing span. Got to go thru interior of 17, they weren't built for comfort. Great video bud.
Ball Turret Gunners may have been smaller guys, but they sure do hit hard.
That’s a beautiful G model. I haven’t been fortunate enough to fly in one, but i was lucky enough to have been in one and sat in the ball turret before watching it fly.
Scary stuff, those men had to be ready and willing for sure!!!!👏🏼👍🏼
With this story of my fellow veterans who gave it all for all of us, as a disabled veteran of a bombing squadron, I SALUTE YOU.
great off topic content. airplane from that Era are my favorite 😍 💜 💓. so much so, I schooled myself in propeller repair and got my FAA license to work on Hamilton Standard propellers. they happen to be on the majority of the old warbirds. what a privilege is was to get upclose and personal with these old planes. glad people are keeping them alive and flying
I give those boys all the credit in the world. And out of all the jobs you could do in WW-ll I think they were in Gods hands, because it was a simple matter of time before it was curtains.
I paid $300 for a ride in a WW-ll fighter, I’ll never forget that 30 minute ride. But this isn’t about me. It’s about what those boys went threw. That was awesome Jeff thanx for the video🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
we do too. thanks and you betcha
My dad actually got to fly a B-17 back in 1999 it’s name was (aluminum overcast) he’s been a certified flight instructor since 1969…. he was in the US Army stationed in Germany in the early 60s. He used to see those flying over as a child born in 1940 always wanted to fly one and he got to actually fly a B-17 in ‘99, And the regular pilots asked him ….where he wanted to fly? He got to fly over his small country hometown , and he flew over the fields where he saw them as a child. They gave him his dream of flying he saw them practicing for the war in the early 1940s …finally everything came full circle. I got photos of him in the cockpit smiling… with his aviator glasses and his headset on beside the copilot. They even gave him a bomber jacket with his name. The whole back of the bomber jacket, is the plane he flew.
All the controls are cabled …no hydraulics were used for the yoke controls…and he said it flew very heavy, because it was all mechanically driven from those cables, as you can see in your video. They knew hydraulics would not last long with bullets flying. Planes he flew over the years were all cable driven… but nothing that big, he flew twin engines and Cessnas …but nothing that big.
It wasn’t cheap.. not long after that they quit letting the public fly the plane. I’m so glad I talked him into doing it.
thanks for sharing that is really cool and a bomber jacket too.....I bet that was an incredible experience for him.
@@Askjeffwilliams Yes….it was a once in a lifetime thing, that was meant to be for him! He didn’t have any idea that day …where they were flying, and that happened to be near where he grew up. You’re very welcome Jeff. I appreciate you Covering the B-17 on your channel! It Was Awesome to see!💯
My dad flew on a B-17 over Europe acting as bombardier/nose gunner from 1943-45. He was based in Italy with the 346th Bomber Squadron, 99th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force.
I flew on Aluminum Overcast several years back and took my Mom, who loved every minute of it.
I know exactly how you feel! I caught a ride on EAA's B-17G Aluminum Overcast a few years back and oh what a ride!
We were on the last ride of the day so they kept us up for over an hour. I could not get over how loud it was inside.
I can't even imagine how it must have been for the crews during the war. The sound, the cold and not to mention being shot at.
Getting to ride in one of these historical aircraft was certainly a one in a lifetime experience I'll never forget.
Welcome to the club Jeff!
My uncle Jack was a pilot of a B-17 in Europe. He was career Air Force and retired in 1971, the year I went to Vietnam.
Congratulations Jeff!! Once in a lifetime experience, the honor and courage those men had to give us our freedom to "git that gold".. lest we forget..never.. Thank you Jeff!!!
You havn't got any freedoms. You live in a police state where you need a permit to piss.
What an awesome video, I got to take a tour inside a B17 when I was 9 years old. I always wondered how hectic it must have been when they were attacked and all guns were firing. Thanks for taking the time to share that experience!
always our pleasure
What an adventure Jeff, thanks for this presentation. It’s those young men then, now old men who fought to keep the dream alive. I doff my hat to them.
exactly
What brave men served our country!
Today’s younger generation could never understand !! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
What a wonderful video, thanks Jeff and God Bless.
Glad you enjoyed it
I remember sitting on the roof in the early 70’s watching the B-17’s fly over fighting forest fires here in Northern California.
Fantastic video! I love B-17s too! I took a ride in EAA's Aluminum Overcast B-17G back in 2013. It's the only video I have up on my youtube page if anybody wants to take a look. I did the ride at Boeing Field in Seattle where they actually had a plant building the B-17s in World War 2, so that was kind of cool. It was the ride of a lifetime!
That poem was an absolute gut punch at the last line. I had an English teacher in junior high school who flew in a B-17 during WW2. He took a piece of shrapnel to the chest, but it hit him flat face on, so his flak jacket took much of the impact and saved his life. The impact broke several of his ribs, but because he didn't bleed externally, he wasn't awarded a Purple Heart.
thanks for sharing that
Thanks Jeff! I love aviation history of WWll. Nicely done!
I can just picture back in the day, JW sitting that Ball Turret firing the 50 Cals and yelling COME ON LET'S GOOOOO......
My uncle was bombarder on one in the war at that time they came under a lot a fire all the time he made home. Thanks Jeff.✈️
our pleasure
What a beautiful aircraft, a tribute to those men of iron who sacrificed so much in the name of Freedom. We should never forget that there is a high price to be paid to be able to walk in a free land. What a excellent experience to have Jeff. Thank you for taking us along.
What an amazing video and even more amazing aircraft,im so glad these B-17s are being preserved and still flying. My Grandfather fought in WW2 European Theater.
A great homage to those who serve this great nation. Thank you, Jeff, and GBY you and your lovely wife.
Isn't is great the folks that follow Jeff's adventures can relate to this video with their own endless stories of Fathers and Grandfathers. The same crowd of folks that love the idea of hunting gold, all share the same Love of Country.
thanks
First of all Thank you to all the past , present and future personnel who dedicate there lives for this country . You lucky dog Jeff WOW 😲 get to play and ride in the flying fortress . Playing on the farm I mean working some of the farmers was in the war and would tell stories about being up there with hell breaking loose and seeing friends not making it back . Those guys are real men toughest physically and mentally thank you once again
😁👍🏾🌵
exactly
Beautifully done Jeff. I couldn't imagine how they must have felt the first time they sat or knelt behind the glass. Cheers to all the brave men who faced such adversities.
Great video always loved listening to my great uncle tell stories about ww2. Yeah people back then was tougher and would die for this great country. I don't know about nowadays.
exactly
Whenever I see a B17 I see complete beauty, and absolute terror. Not a lot needs to be said.
I agree
My step-daughter took care of the Memphis Belle when it was in Memphis on Mud-Island. She made friends with Capt Morgan… now she’s at Wright-Patterson AFB- where she’s been restored and better preserved. Took lots of guts to fly in these planes!
thats great
This was an awesome video about the B-17 Flying Fortress and the men that few in it. Gave me a totally new perspective on this aircraft and what it was like to be in it. At about 6:03 the noise from being in that bottom ball turret was incredible and shocking, just amazing footage. Our people gave a lot during WWII for our freedom and many Americans now disrespect what our Veterans have done, especially our politicians. No honor, accept when it benefits them. Thanks for this nice glimpse into our past Jeff. Looking forward to the next video too.
This is one of my all time favorite videos that you’ve put out! ❤
thanks Kris
The last part of the video at 7:00 until the end had me in tears. These guys are true heroes and I can't imagine the hell they saw. The music you chose and the writing at the end of the video were on point. Who wrote that? What's that piano song called?
the poem was written by Randall Jarrell
That cutover to the turret helps me to imagine what it must have been like w/100s of them in formation fighting into and out of an objective.
That right there is the best Gold 👀💯a person can have is the memory's of the Best Generation of Brave Souls that a country can be proud of. Those boys fought for all our freedoms and a 🙏lot of them didn't make it back. 🙏Those aircraft our Awesome too.👀💯 God Bless them and the U.S.A. ✌☮✌
I used to fly those often in a WWII aviation game called Aces High III. Yes they are a great lady.
As an Air Force Vet, I really loved this video. I have never had a chance to fly in the Fortress, but did the F4-E. We flew over Death Valley. It was fantastic
That's a golden experience, loved seeing it!
My great uncle was a tail gunner in one during the war. Very cool.
Excelente video amigo gracias por compartir amigo saludos desde Colombia 👌
gracias
This one hit home Jeff,
one of my uncles was a ball turret gunner and on one of their missions they had a mid-air collision and the plain broke in two and they had to bell out over enemy territory.
The real kicker to this story though is he was caught and smuggled out of the area by a
germen officer who was an American citizen that had married a germen woman and was living in Germany before the war started and was drafted into the germen army.
Pace, William B-17 Ball Turret Gunner, Check it out here on youtube
thanks for sharing that with us Leroy and we will check it out
That's really cool. They used to have a movie at the Kalamazoo air zoo that was 3D. The chairs vibrated and tilted smoke and smells come up through the floor it was really crazy. But you went on a bombing mission in the bomber and it was 3-D. But it doesn't compare to your ride. Good going
Absolutely incredible! I couldn't even imagine the thoughts running through one's head being in one of those. By the way, what's up with the blackout @ 9:45? hahaha. Dang man, this is awesome. Really cool video, thanks for taking us along!
hes was letting it all hang out. pretty dangerous around flying burning casings.
Thank you man for doing this, this plane is my dream to fly
As a Veteran I appreciate the time you took to enlighten the world about Sacrifices made. Least we never forget, nor loose our appreciation
always our pleasure
Superb lighting in that display.
Surreal. Thank you for sharing.
The closest I have been to that type of platform is when I got to go in a Lancaster bomber.
The Halifax is cool but the Lancaster was definitely best 🙂
I love that you are getting around and bringing us some historical vids that are out of the ordinary.
Very cool Jeff 👍
Imagine being in that thing at 30,000 feet with luftwaffe fighters hunting you down.
The men back then had true grit.
You would have been the perfect size for a ball turret gunner jeff.
yes they did ... I know ....right
Great video Jeff. Thanks and always a standing Salute to all our Vets!!!!!!! God bless
Awesome video Jeff, we've got a couple of them babies in Seattle at the museum of flight. Love going there so much history.
Holy cow!! Where did you get to fire the guns? I'm guessing it was on the ground? Believe me, one .50 will get the blood goin, but two? That right there _Had_ to blow your pants off!!
You lucky dog, you! That is a special treat to fly onboard one of those girls!! Not many left, and fewer still that are air worthy. Those ball turret guys needed a separate ground crew ... _To help load those brass balls they carry around!_ The first iterations of the bottom ball had no access to the inside. Take off to landing, you had what was arguably the best view in the house! But, like you said, if the landing gear won't go down and they couldn't bailout before they landed... Sometimes they couldn't get the hatch open if they lost hydraulics, if you were looking down the hatch was blocked.
Later versions of the ball had access to the plane. Although there was still the risk of the ball getting stuck in a bad position, either from hydraulic failure or flak damage.
But those ball turrets kept a lot of fighters at bay. Before them your enemy had easy access to the bottom of your bomber.
Anywho, I went in a tangent. But it's something that's close to my heart. Stay safe out there! *_And tell Slim I said hi!!_*
thanks and I will tell him
Later models of the b17 had the ability to let the ball turret gunner out of the ball from inside by rotating the ball turret so the door faced into the belly of the plane.
It's such an exciting aircraft it's is firepower, yet strangly terrifying in its design for the airmen. What a great video Jeff!!! I love the end! You really and truly freel the impact and sacrifice of these servicemen that took this dangerous and selfless role...
thank you
That's one bad ass plane. Thanks for sharing be safe ✌️ 🙏 love the movie Memphis bell
Thanks Bill and we do to
Super cool video Jeff!
Damn, Jeff... That was heavy.
Thanks for that.
And a salute to all who served their America.
Thank You
That is so awesome I did a science fair project on the B-17 when I was young I sent a request to Wright Patterson AFB and they sent me tons of declassified info on it and it’s been a dream of mine every since to fly in one, I’m definitely jealous brother. 👍✌️
Jeff there should be two black levers at the back of the lower turret ball. Pull both of them at the same time for a real fun time. More fun without a parachute - trust me!
I bet hahahah
I love aviation too!! Awesome day for you!!!. I miss fixing them
Am I the only one who burst out bawling? Many people today have no idea the meaning of the words "Bravery and Valor". Shame on them. Today, we throw away what those brave men fought so hard to secure for us. May God bless.
your not the only one
That was powerful thank you so much. ALL stay safe
My grand daughter lives in Tucson and we went to visit here. Fantastic experience!
Awesome vid Jeff! I love old military planes, ships, submarines, etc. Thanks for showing the bits of the vintage films and the interviews of the men that served on those old planes.
you betcha
Kool, Sunny Jim..............So Lets GO......hahahah,,,,,,,,,TWO 50,s for me plez.....What an Experience........Most Excellent and most Informative Video.......Thanks Old Son...........JB..✌
Glad you enjoyed it JB
@@Askjeffwilliams Hope you have a safe and relaxing week end.....JB......
Thanks
thank you Darren
Hey, Sunny Jeff, GOOD TO.SEE THIS VIDEO BRO.
I served in the US Army Aviations C-18 -4 and always respected these Amazing American Aeronautical Arsenals ttyl God Bless America. And the both of us and all our loved ones .
exactly my brother
Wow! That B17 is beyond awesome!
These old aircraft are flown next to me at this airport next to me . Mustangs ,bombers , even migs. . They are interesting to see and hear !
Those kids that flew them are the bravest men in this world, hands down!! enough said, God Bless America
exactly
Amazing, Jeff. Thanks. That was the greatest generation, for sure.
glad you liked it
Omg Jeff what a wonderful tribute to the 17s and there crews. She's cherry, my favorite War bird!
I've been to Wright-Patterson. My Great Uncle was a WW1 Flying Ace! had a wooden propeller at Great Grannies with bullet holes. Barn Stormer bi-planes. I rode in C-130 to Germany in '77(Brigade'75) watching hydraulic hoses jump around in the deafening noise,,full combat gear and packed like sardines. 2ndA.D 1st14thF.A.,,FTA. although a few land mines would be nice around Your Claims👁 I'd rather shoot the Claim Jumper,,,,make'm eat your beans and eggshell burrito first!!
Thanks Jeff, wonder how many rounds of 50 they carried on board?
500 per gun
10 years ago we got to tour the Sentimental Journey at falcon field in Mesa AZ it was awesome
that pretty cool
This was definitely a different type of video for you Jeff and my heart goes out to all the servicemen and for all The Bravery that they've had to endure in their life no one should have had to do that but they did that for us and we should be proud of them that have served for us
I have always loved the B-17
a very nice tribute to those men who fought to keep this country free. God bless the United States of America
😥😥😥😥😥 Go easy boys.. for those who enter that realm between glass and flake truly looks the devil and the eye and sends him running back to fire and fry. Thank you so much for this video i am very nostalgic for these men and their stories. They are all all but gone now !! Im so happy and proud to have been taight by men like the ones talking. Although they taught me things like plumbing, painting, carpentry, water well drilling, and whatnot through the years, I listened more to their war stories than I did half the lessons they try to teach me about said vocations.😁😁 Maybe that's why the price of nails went up in the 80 and 90's because I used them.all.up on a simple single project hahaha
always our pleasure
Hi jeff amazing video thank you so much friend please keep the great videos coming from Scotland.
thank you
Wow!!! I love ALL of your video's Jeff, but this.... this was a real treat!!! Thank you!!!
you betcha we have always love the B-17
One o these flew over me last Sundy when I was out hunting. It was back firing.
Had ta be this puppy.
I talk to a noise gunner of a B- 24 liberator who was in WW II in the Pacific in 1945 . He is 97 years old , he tells me great stories about flying with other planes until the end of the War .
He loved to fly , he ran into his brother who was a Navy C B who helped build the airfield he was station at . He is in assisted living home the same place as my wife .
great story ....thanks for sharing that