Today is a sad day indeed. I could not believe my eyes reading about a B17 that crashed near Chicago today when I learned that it was Liberty Belle. After an engine fire, it was set down in a corn field and was engulfed in flames. The silver lining is that the 7 people on board got out safely.
Update: better pictures here: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110613/news/706139928/photos/EP1/
While there are a limited number of B17s flying, this one in particular will be missed as it was one of the most well-known and well traveled. It has been touring since 2004 when it was last restored and has a remarkable post-war service history. I’ve toured and taken pictures of her. In 2007 I saw it flying around Boise and followed it to the airport where I took hundreds of photos. I also have a poster of it on my wall which I purchased to help support the Liberty Foundation. You can see my gallery of Liberty Belle here.
A pic I took in 2007 when Liberty Belle visited Boise
The Liberty Foundation has another B17 in restoration. After seeing the images of the crash, I’m doubtful if Liberty Belle will ever fly again, though perhaps she can be parted out to benefit restoration projects. I hope that the foundation is able to make their other Fortress flyable so the number of working airframes doesn’t permanently drop.
Nose profile of Liberty Belle
The Flying Fortress was famous for being tough and getting its crew home safely even after being shot to hell. It’s not an insignificant comfort that Liberty Belle lived up to that legacy. Losing an aircraft is part of the risk of maintaining a flying museum such as this, but getting the opportunity to see it in person is something an aviation buff like myself will not soon forget.