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Duxford Visit with Tony ( N.O.S.)


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Spent a great day at Duxford today with Tony ( N.O.S. ), Clive Steven's dad and the historian from the 388th BG ( sorry, I've forgotten your name - I'm hopeless! ). I took a number of photos across the day, but since some of the hangars are quite dark, I shot everything in RAW so the brightness could be adjusted later. As a result, I haven't even started processing them yet; well, all except two shown below. We got a great tour of B-17 'Sally B' by chief engineer, Peter Brown, who talked us through several of the operating proceedures with the electrical system powered up so everything was live as the various switches were operated. A very lengthy and informative tour.

 

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More pics to follow from around the museum once processed.

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Historian is Dick Henggeler, son of a 388th Command Pilot. A few years back Dick and his son were lucky enough to get to fly in a B-17 with Dick's father before he passed away - what a great experience for father, son and grandson to be able to share together.

 

A 388th veteran who returned to his old base just two weeks ago was back in the USA on Sunday flying in a B-17, he said it brought back many good and unhappy memories. We can but imagine......

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I almost did write Dick, but then started to doubt myself!

 

One more picture for tonight, this time, a more sobering picture. Each B-17 silouette represents an aircraft lost from the 100th Bomb Group. Each aircraft carried ten men. This glass memorial is just one of dozens that encircle the American Air Museum, representing the losses for the whole 8th Air Force.

 

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I had a look around Sally B a few years back, when they were raising funds for her new engine(s), IIRC.

Still unimaginable, how 10 blokes spent hours at altitude, being shot at & freezing in her!

Loved seeing the P38.

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Not to forget, Sally & her "Little Friend"

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I've not seen this P-38 fly, or the P-47, and during my visit yesterday, the P-47 was behind several other aircraft with the covers on. I think the last time I saw it, the fuselage was still bare metal.

 

I'm still plodding through my pictures from yesterday, but further trips out today have delayed things! Hopefully I'll get some added tonight.

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