M5Clive

Look in Other Chatter - thread heading 'A Very Special Mission' for more pictures of our epic trip! Cds

Their are over a dozen colour pictures of the flight in 'Other Chatter' entitled 'A Very Special Mission.'

If I'm honest I am very much still buzzing. I keep driving through villages and countryside that I overflew sat up there in the nose and looked down upon and keep re-living the experience. Although this has been almost an entirely picture thread, I do plan to do an article about the days activities, detailing more about what it felt like to fly above the old USAAF bases aboard a B-17 G, who else was involved during the big day and who deserves all the heartfelt thanks from the passengers who were lucky enough to climb aboard that day. One thing is for sure though - I genuinely don't think I will ever have a chance opportunity present itself quite like that situation did ever again. The cost of bringing Liberty Belle over from the States for the two weeks was in excess of £275,000 and even Don Brooks (as wealthy a businessman as he is) stated that he thought it would never happen again (for any organisation) due to impending insurance restrictions effecting such ambitious plans. It truly was the chance of a lifetime - And I mean that in every sense of the word.

A few more shots from the best day of the summer......... My 1941 Chrysler, all painted up in 13th Combat Wing, 390th Bombardment Group markings just incase such a photo opportunity should arise along with Bill Kemball's Dodge Ambulance and Command Car. (Bill Kemball owns the airfield at Bentwaters) Another take-off shot of Liberty Belle leaving the former RAF Bentwaters Overflying the A-14 at Shrubland Hall. Thats Great Blakenham, Barham and Claydon villages and Ipswich town on the horizion - The former Sugar Beet factory at Sproughton just visible on the skyline. The pilot requested permission to overfly RAF Wattisham. The first bombing mission of WWII was conducted from this airfield (along with aircraft from Ipswich and Martlesham airfields) with Bristol Blenheim's. You can see the original loop type hardstandings that P-38 Lightenings and P-51 Mustang's of the 479th Fighter Group (8th USAAF) would have parked upon, still clearly remain today. Sat in the nose at 900 feet (where I spent the bulk of the flight back to Duxford) on the Bombardiers chair and holding the Norden Bombsight. Blimey that was hot and stuffy up there at low altitude (instead of the freezing temperatures at 30,000 feet) wearing all the authentic clobber, but wearing it certainly added to the experience immensely. The faded colours and over-exposure of this photo could easily make it pass as a WWII picture from 'The Mighty Eighth in Colour.' I hope you enjoy the photo's. I'm certainly glad that I turned around and went back home to retrieve my camera after leaving home that morning without it!

First started getting involved with MV's in 1989 when brother Neil (Deuceman) bought a Dodge WC51, but I was only 14 so didn't join the MVT to a few years later - I forget when exactly, but have a 10 years + badge made out of milk bottle tops and a 6000 membership number. As a matter of interest, an MV enthuiast to inspire me from that age was in fact Rex Ward, (Past MVT Safety Officer and Retired Chairman) although I have never actually told him personally. My father and uncle had a GMC 352 and one of the very first shows we attended was at Castle Coombe Racing Circuit. When we left, we travelled back along the M4 to the Hungerford junction and I rode with Rex and Shelia Ward in their Amphib Dukw. I thought to myself, "I'm gonna have one of these beauties one day." Less than 10 years later and at under 25 I had my own! For those who have read the post 'A Very Special Mission' in Other Chatter, it will be known that I flew aboard Liberty Belle last week - As I looked over Don Brooks shoulder from the flight-deck after we had taken off, I said the same thing to myself that I had said when on the M4 back in 1989 - but somehow I doubt the reality of this particular ambition!! The MV movement has been very good to me though over the years and I often think how lucky I have been to have an active interest that is not only an excellent social hobbie, but also so rewarding in so many other ways (spin-off's) - Without which, I wouldn't have flown last week or met so many interesting people over the years. Deuceman is to blame of course - Coming home with a WC51 when we were all perfectly happy building model railways.......................! Cds

Totally missed the special moment Jack - Although we arrived at W & F on Tuesday and didn't go home till Sunday, I was away all day Saturday in Wiltshire for a bleeding wedding! I must say seriously, it is very much deserved as your vision and efforts have resulted in a very different facility for MV enthuiasts to be able to openly interact within their hobbie. I had the privilage of giving Bart Vanderveen a 12 mile ride in my Dukw back in the Spring of 1998/1999 (I forget which) when he came to our MV motor-pool on a farm in Wiltshire. He then came along to our Wiltshire Area MVT meeting the same evening and did an excellent talk about how he first became involved with MV's and how he got his first MV Directory published back in the late 1960's - A copy of which I got signed by Bart on the night and still cherish to this day. Truly well done Jack, its a prestigious award indeed and if you look at the previous recipents, your up there amongst the big-wheels now and rightfully so! I know there have been politics and some controversy re HMVF since its founding, but although now well behind us, when you put all the BS to one side, HMVF is a very good facility and that is what i'm sure has been in the minds of the decision makers who award the Bart Vanderveen trophy annually. I'm not sure who nominated or proposed you, but good on them for putting you and HMVF forward as 'A farce to be reckoned with!!' I must mention it in my Report for the next Windscreen.............! Suffolk MVT Area Secretary

Thanks for all the good words. A few more pictures as requested. Just a lovely shot of the B-17 G Liberty Belle with all four fans turning Owner Don Brooks and Ed Abbott (alias Windy Miller) admire our Operation Bolero banner, showing the Liberty Belle in-flight. Having just lifted-off from ex-RAF Bentwaters in the Belle Top-side pass for the cameras - Ain't she beautiful! Parham Airfield, Control Tower and original T2 Hangar - Wartime home of the 390th Bombardment Group and 2007 home of the Operation Bolero event. This was the final pass the aircraft did over the old airfield, as observed from the cockpit. Pilot Ray Fowler holds her steady. Watching this genius fly tight formation with the Spit over the sea for the chief photograph of Aeroplane Magazine to work his magic was a sight to behold. His eyes never left that Spitfire's wing and the concentration required to hold that big four-engined bird in tight formation amazed me. Can't imagine what strains and pressures it must have put upon the WWII pilots to hold tight formation all the way to Germany and home again. Maurice Hammond fly's his P-51 Janie in-close. Picture taken from the waste-gun position of the B-17. Carolyn Grace bring her Spitfire in on the right hand side to complete the three ship formation. 91st Bombardment Group Bombardier James E Harlow flew the entire mission with me - his 26th ! That morning when I left home I had forgotten my camera, so turned around and headed back home to get it. Whilst back home I took the opportunity to grab my prized picture of Jim and put it in my flight suit knee pocket. Although nothing had been planned or arranged, I just knew (sixth sense) that Jim had already paved the way to me flying aboard Liberty Belle that day. I was with him in Florida in 1997 just two days before he passed away. Sounds kind of quirky I know, but i'm not asking anyone to believe me. That's my boot on the left.

I was at the M11 end of the airfield and watched this incident unfold just a few hundred yards away from where I was standing. In my estimation, the P-51 appeared to make a normal approach - certainly didn't see any plume of white smoke from my view point. It was being piloted by RAF fast jet pilot Pete John, although the aircraft is owned by Robs Lamplough from East Garsdon, near Hungerford - He also owns a Spitfire too. Sadly this P-51 has become a bit of a bad-luck aircraft. On the return from the IAT at Fairford in 2006? the engine stopped in flight and Robs had to make a dead-stick approach into a field adjoining his airstrip at East Garsdon. He dodged the bullet and with a wheels-up landing, spared his life, but Miss Helen was not so lucky. Maurice Hammond worked on a lot of the damaged components and the aircraft returned to the skies again recently. On Sunday evening the P-51 certainly landed heavy, but as stated earlier appeared to hit a hump in the ground which literally launched the aircraft back into the air like a V1 (She was making an approach onto the grass runway not the hard) - It was at this point that I realised something was very wrong. I'm sure some damage must have occured at this initial impact. The aircraft then with little airspeed returned to the ground for its second heavy impact, tail high with the prop striking the ground numerous times, but luckly it did not flip over. It stopped at a 90 degree angle to the runway with the l/h undercarriage leg in a sorry state and the P-51 Old Crow that was on finals behind her, was given the go-around from the tower. She gunned her engine, cleaned-up the undercarriage and re-joined the flight pattern, landing safely on the hard runway minutes later. I spoke to Maurice Hammond on my mobile shortly afterwards. He informed me that Pete John (the pilot) had spoken to him that morning regarding the mechanical fault on Saturday and advised him that the air test performed on Sunday morning had gone routinely, although I did notice the engine appeared to be sounding a little rough when it flew over the airfield. A reference was made to how many hours the pilot had (on type) in recent years? Tornado's and Harriers are very different machines..............Having said that, it is simply too early to drawn any conclusions. Fortunatley, the pilot did not suffer any injury and the public's safety was not compromised. I took the pictures below earlier in the show on Sunday.

Got the wake-up call early, I mean like 4.30am - Couldn't sleep anyway. The General's Car wouldn't start - Damp I guess, but finally got it rollin and drove the leafy lane of Suffolk to the mission briefing. Breakfast 07.00 Briefing 09.30 Taxi 10.00 Take-Off - RAF Bentwaters 10.30 Break Coast 10.45 Fighter Rendezvous 11.00 Target 11.30 Radio Interview 15.30 Return to RAF Duxford 15.45 Land 16.45 "Must be an easy one today I though - Leaving England this late in the morning." We horsed around a bit waiting for the call to start engines Leaving English soil Breaking the Coast over Orford Suffolk - Target Germany Little Friends (British and US) and Camera Strike Photographer Just to prove Finals over the M11 into IWM Duxford Why we do it Conclusion Was it a chance in a lifetime? Well yes, very much so. Was their room for everybody to go? Well sadly no. Owner Don Brooks pulled all the stops out to ensure everyone he felt should ride got a ride. But why me your asking yourself - Bloody Stevens in on the act again? Well fairs, fair. Last year Ed Abbott and myself organised Operation Bolero at the former 390th Bomb Group airfield at Parham, Suffolk. It was hoped that Liberty Belle may attend, but sadly insurance issues caused problems. The event we organised raised 10k for the museum and was the best event they had ever had at the airfield. Both Ed and I did it for nothing other than the satisfaction of pulling-off a damn good show. Did that entitles us to the chance of a lifetimes opportunity to fly aboard the Belle over Parham when she came to England? I like to think it did! Enjoy the pictures - There were over 700 to choose from and these are literally a handful. The best bit? - Sitting in the Bombardiers seat from Bentwaters to Duxford, looking out of the plexi-glass nose and thinking that the Spit and P-51 were far too close for safety, but recognising every bit of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire that we were flying over. Waving at the postman in Barking Tye who was emptying the letter box and then looking at him through the Norden Bombsight was quite surreal as well - probably for both of us! Clive D Stevens

Really great shots Jack - Best thread in a long time.

I would hazzard a guess that pic no.1 is taken driving through Salisbury. It isn't wide enough for Warminster from memory. Back in 1994 I took my GMC to a reunion of the US 3rd Armoured Division at Codford, on the Southern edge of Salisbury Plain. It was a great day and I was the only WWII MV there except the Sherman wreck that had come off the Plain that someone was trying to get put-up as a memorial to the unit, but it never came off. Don't think the villagers like the idea of 25 tons of rusty scrap with only one track being put on a plinth in the centre of their village in honour of the US Army!

What a fantastic opportunity to purchase a bit of history! If we lived in the USA it would be well worth owning, but not over here. Far too many rules, regs, our cost of fuel and maintenance, not to mention the cost of getting it home! A wonderful pipe-dream all the same - Especially to finish it off in 437th Troop Carrier Group Markings, 9th Air Force, who flew from Ramsbury, Wiltshire. Jack your a star for finding it. Now lets sort out the issue of financing it!

Hats-off to Jessie for braving the heat in his high altitude flying gear! I put mine on yesterday to go to the 95th Bomb Group open day in Suffolk, but took it off again within minutes - it was just too damn hot and T-shirt and shorts were a far more comfortable option! Had a lovely display from the BBMF Lancaster and Hurricane over the old airfield remains.

Dr. Who and his latest aid were also in residence over the weekend, along with the tardis!

Chris Maine crewed the M8 Armoured Car and was responsible for persuading its owner to attend the event.

You are welcome to use any of mine posted on here, particularly if a small photo credit is given in any related article that appears either on here or in the magazines.

Col Ben Tottenham, Ramsbury resident and participant of the original Operation Market Garden Their are some great pictures of Ben in uniform during 1944 in the Route to Victory booklet that was produced and sold at the event.

I'm not sure of the rank or names of these guys, but they were indeed characters of the event and put on a truly outstanding performance wearing the Allied uniforms of the era. The first time a paratrooper wearing an M41 Jumpsuit had dropped into Camp Ramsbury since WWII.

Described by Keith over the microphone commentary as the 'Wiltshire Beauties!' Andrea Benham rallied enough support to get together this tribute to the Women's Land Army, which looked really impressive atop of Phil Benham's White M-16 Half Track.

Adrian Barrell examins Mike Roberts blown head gasket, which he had needed to replace on his Diamond T 969, half-way between Wolverhampton and Ramsbury! I shudder to think of the fuel costs of driving the two Diamond T's to the event, participating and then driving home again!

A Big Mack and Large Cup of Tea Please! Jim Clark brought his Mack and his Sherman to the event, and following behind Jim on Monday's armoured convoy aboard Adrian Barrell's Sherman, the noise that Jim's M4A4 makes had people running down their garden paths to watch!

Sorry Jack - Have you just got up ? Rubbing his hands together like Arkwright with a shop full of potential customers, Jack is still full of smiles despite the inclement start to the weekends weather! Thats a hell of a tent old boy, you should get yourself a Command Tent - I hear they are very good!

The aforementioned Degsy - Stalwart and very early member of HMVF. Degsy drove all the way from Conway in Wales to attend the event and participate. His epic adventures can be read elsewhere in the Route to Victory section of HMVF under the heading 'One Piece at a time' - Volumes I and II !

Some people's vehicles were in a poorer state of repair than others...........! Poor old Degsy pushes from behind! Retired Chairman of the MVT and previous longstanding Area Secretary of the Berks & Oxon Area, Rex Ward has always supported our events - An now that he owns that little Staff Car, has given us countless opportunities to take the mick! Did we mention about when he got stuck in the pig effluent up on Ramsbury Airfield on the Saturday convoy, even with my mother-in-law sat in the back as ballast????

Highly successful at evading the camera most of the weekend, Paul Gannaway from the Kennet Valley MVT Paul also worked tirelessly over the weekend, marshalling vehicles, helping to prepare the field and the main entrance beforehand and collecting and returning all of the Arena barriers to name but a few of his duties as one of the long-standing stalwarts of the former Wiltshire Area (now Kennet Valley Area) Military Vehicle Trust. He owns a string of WWII MV's that would provide a superb convoy in there own right!