Legends 46 by debbielove
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Description
Greetings Folks,
A blast from a Legends Show of the past..
Here is The Pink Lady, a Boeing B-17G (apparently?) Flying Fortress from France..
She appeared at several Legends shows and in Memphis Belle the film.. But, due to lack of funds to upgrade her and keep her running she is now grounded but kept in airworthy condition (though not able to fly legally)..
Rolled out of the Lockheed-Vega production facility in Burbank, California in December, 1944, The Pink Lady was then only known as a B-17G-85-VE Fortress, serial number 44-8846. On March 1, 1945, 44-8846 was flown to RAF Polebrook, England, and assigned to the 511th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group. Since she entered active service so close to the end of the war, 44-8846 only flew six missions over Germany, the last one on April 20, 1945, when the 351st ended combat operations. She was transferred to the 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group, based at RAF Chelveston, England, when the rest of the 351st returned to the United States.
It is amazing to know that until her retirement she was the only airworthy B-17 with combat history!!
At one Legends, Sally B, Pink Lady and Liberty Belle were in attendance! Pink Lady went U/S, so only Sally B and Belle flew!
If only....
Enjoy
Rob
Comments (17)
giulband
Great image !!
papy2
Wonderful shot!!! Thanks
bebopdlx
Sad, but a cool air shot. Luv the info also.
Greywolf44
Hey Rob, nice shot. I didn't realize they made any "G" models without the nose turret gun. This is the most identifying feature of the "G's". They also left most of the "G" models bare aluminum, saving weight on paint.
taliesin86001
Beautiful shot! And thanks for the history too.
jayfar
This is a very good shot and what a shame if she doesn't fly anymore.
magnus073
You did a great job on this amazing presentation from the past, Rob.
Buffalo1
Another calendar shot, Rob! They don't get any better than this! I'm with Greywolf44's comment. maybe it was starri ng in a movie as an earlier model (E or F) B-17.
Faemike55
Fabulous capture Rob! She is very beautiful
Tamarrion
Awesome! A very spry-looking climb out for an old girl. They wouldn't have tried that when loaded for a mission, she'd have fallen out of the sky. You mention money problems, so I wonder if they simply were never able to afford a Bendix chin turret, or have it mounted?
blinkings
Being stuck in one of those turrets must have been quite the experience Rob. It's funny how in our modern world we all worry about dying in our eighties, or whether we have have enough superannuation etc. I wonder how far ahead these guys ever looked. My uncle fought at Tobruk, and he used to describe to me how the fear of dying in battle became so commonplace, that eventually most soldiers just accepted it as their fate and never worried again! They learned to enjoy every little moment in life as if it was their last.......
RodS
What an awesome shot of this classic old girl! I love the 17 - it's just a beautiful airplane! Sad she's not in the air any longer, but hopefully she'll be kept airworthy. An excellent shot, Rob!
goodoleboy
Terrific portrait of the storied Flying Fortress, Rob. All of our B-17s are now based in the UK! I worked at the Lockheed facility in Burbank, California way back in the 1950s, doing work on the P-80, the Constellation, and other aircraft I can't recall at the moment. The beautiful F-104 was just about getting started then.
neiwil
Another one gets it's wings clipped.....at least we got to see her fly :-) Makes you appreciate 'Sally B ' that little bit more....Great shot Rob
flavia49
fabulous capture
Richardphotos
there is a Memphis Belle here also. I have photos some where in my gallery. superb capture
junge1
Great capture, great background info Rob. This is the story with so many of these WWII aircraft. It costs an arm and a leg and then some to keep them airworthy!