At least two people have died and more were seriously injured when a World War II-era plane crashed at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks Wednesday morning.
A B-17 bomber crashed about 10 a.m., bursting into flames and sending up a large plume of smoke that could be seen for miles. Sources say it crashed into a small building as it was trying to land.
While there is no official word on the number of deaths, sources say at least two people have died and three others have critical injuries. The plane was one of five at the airport for the Wings of Freedom tour.
Laura Nolan said she saw that something was amiss as the plane came in for a landing. She was driving east on Route 20 at the time, and she saw the World War II-era plane flying unusually low.
The plane survives the war and then goes down on a routine run. Very sad.
ht/ charlie walks on water
So few of them around. WW2 planes are fascinating to me and this was sad. Hope they survived.
My buddy was the AF go between in Iceland when a crew came up to resurrect a b-29 named kiwi. They rebuilt the engines etc and when they taxied it onto their makeshift runway plowed out in the ice a gas can in the back tipped onto a generator and burned the entire aircraft. sad.
Very sad.
All Volunteers
BTW, That is Heavy Metal.
Many B-17 crew members received military honors and 17 received the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-17_Flying_Fortress
So sad. A hugh loss. My family loves air shows. Houston’s is scheduled for October.
So sad. These aircraft are part of our history and the people that fly and maintain them are without a doubt, a very special breed. I’m attending a fly-in at a local airport that helped train pilots during WWII on the 5th and I’m sure this will be in everyone’s thoughts, and prayers as it is here today
Very, very sad for the people and the loss of one of the last flying B-17s. I go to airshows all the time just to see these WWII aircaft and it is getting to a point that maybe they should be pulled from flying and put into museums. I’d really hate to see that but it would be better than something like this.
And yes, I use this avatar because of my love of that eras warbirds.
Six years ago, I had the privilege of flying aboard the B-17 named Thunderbird that made it’s home in Galveston at the time. On board was a WWII veteran who was a tail gunner on a B-17. I really enjoyed seeing him light up when we took off. It was the first time he had been around a B-17 since the war. Thunderbird now resides at the Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington Field near Houston. I recently took all my grandkids there to see what really great planes look like. My dad was a young Marine who worked on F4-U Corsairs in WWII and they have a beautiful one there.
Always sad to lose a piece of history such as this.
My father is 2nd from right, at age 18, in this picture, as they were coming back from a mission. He was the tail gunner- literally the ‘man behind the eight ball’
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/336
@ F4UCorsair. WW2 aircraft fascinate me also. They have for years. Answer me this. My neighbor is served 25 yrs in the AF and at times he really frustrates me. We were outside chatting and i hear a lovely roar. I look off in the distance and see a low flying large aircraft. It looks like a flying T to me. He says its a c130. I disagreed and in a few seconds i could make it out. A B29 (fifi). I tell him, he disagrees but then sees it fly right overhead. It was incredible. We discuss it and then the subject of p51’s came up and training. He claimed they had two seat mustangs to train them on. I told him they just moved pilots up from two seat trainers to performance aircraft and there were no p51 trainers. He was adamant that there were, but i’ve never seen them or a reference to them. Prove me wrong…
I throughly respect the loss of life.
That being said, the construction of these war birds, like the Liberty ships, was minimalist at best.
Weight, ever the gremlin in the design of a flying masterpiece.
War time, shortages, short cuts, untrained workers.
The men who can maintain a P&W Hornet radial engine are going fast.
Put them in a museum, make a 3D film, show it, let’s not kill anybody else.
ed. @F4, yes, you get it.
Toby miles; That’s a feather in your hat to be honored. Thanks for the post
Thanx Perry.
The way they got their nose art was that they were flying training flights up and down the east coast of the US, before deploying to England, doing submarine patrol. While flying around Bermuda, all their gauges went screwy- like ‘magic eight balls,’ and that was how that happened. It was one of the earliest ‘Bermuda Triangle’ happenings in an airplane, if not the first. There were 3 B17’s, successively, with the 8 ball on them, his was the first- ‘Flak Hack.’. Clark Gable made a movie with a B17 with an 8 Ball on it.
OTD,
I mean no disrespect, but you are completely wrong on all counts!
Boeing B-17’s were built like flying tanks, and could continue to fly with unbelievable amounts of damage. (See the Link Below). The only reasons there aren’t thousands still flying is that they were intentionally destroyed after the war.
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/military-vehicle-news/incredible-images-of-damaged-b-17-bombers-that-miracilously-made-it-home.html
The Boeing B-17 used various models of the Wright R-1820 “Cyclone” turbosupercharged, 9-cylinder radial engines typically of around 1,200 horsepower. This same engine is used on the legendary Douglas DC-3, many of which are still flying commercially today (40-60 years or more later), so there are plenty of people who know how to service and maintain them.
Putting these majestic creations in a museum is like putting a wild animal in a cage. If you choose not to fly in them that is your prerogative. But please refrain from trying to impose your misguided and uninformed opinions on our liberty and freedom.
KEEP. THEM. FLYING!!! The following groups can always use additional resources:
“57 Rescue” (Halifax Restoration), UK
558 Supporters Club (Avro Vulcan), UK
1941 Historical Aircraft Group, New York, USA
Air Display Association Europe
Air Force Aviation Heritage Foundation, USA
Air Group One, CAF, El Cajon, California, USA
Airborne Tactical Advantage Corporation (ATAC), Virginia, USA
Aircraft Engine Historical Society
Aircraft Restoration Company, UK
Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust
Airline History Museum at Kansas City (Formerly Save-A-Connie)
Alaska Wing of the CAF, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
American Aeronautical Foundation
American Aviation Historical Society (AAHS)
American Fighter Aces Association
American Society of Aviation Enthusiasts, USA
Anglo-American Lightning Organization, USA
Antique Airplane Association / Air Power Museum, Iowa, USA
Antique Airplane Club of Greater New York, USA
Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia (AAAA)
Arizona Wing of the CAF, Mesa, Arizona, USA
Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (AAHF)
Australian Warbirds Association
Aviation Historical Society of New Zealand
Avro Heritage Group, UK
B-17 Alliance Group, Milwaukie, Oregon, USA
B-17 Charitable Trust (“Sally-B”), UK
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), UK
Bayport Aerodrome Society, Islip, New York, USA
Belgian Aviation History Association
Belgian Aviation History Association Archaeology Team (BAHAAT)
Belgian Aviation Preservation Association (BAPA)
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, New Jersey, USA
Berlin Airlift Veteran’s Association
Brussels Air Museum Foundation, Belgium
Brussels Air Museum Restoration Society (BARMS), Belgium
Canadian Aviation Historical Society
Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, Ontario, Canada
Canberra Association, UK
Capt. M.K. Smith Educational Institute, Oregon, USA
Cascade Warbirds (EAA Warbirds Squadron 2), Seattle, Washington, USA
Centex Wing CAF, San Marcos, Texas, USA
Classic Jet Aircraft Association (CJAA)
Cleveland Wing, CAF, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Collings Foundation, USA
Commemorative Air Force (CAF)
[Commemorative Air Force: Directory of Units]
Cornish Aviation Society
Coyote Squadron of the CAF, Corsicana, Texas, USA
The Constellation Group
The Dakota Trust, UK
Danish Dakota Friends, Denmark
DC-3 Historical Society
deHavilland Aviation, Ltd., UK
deHavilland Moth Club, UK
Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association, USA
Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, Georgia, USA
Dutch Dakota Association, UK
Dutch Historic Jet Association (DHJA), Netherlands
EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association)
EAA Vintage Aircraft Association (VAA)
EAA Warbirds of America (WOA)
European Airshow Council
European Aviation Preservation Council
European Yak Club
The Fairchild Club
The Flying Circus, Bealton, Virginia, USA
Flying Leathernecks Historical Foundation, California, USA
Flying Legends Association Germany
Fly Navy Heritage Trust (UK)
Formation and Safety Team (F.A.S.T.), USA
Friends of the Fighter Collection, UK
Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society, New Zealand
Great Lakes Wing of the CAF, Gary, Indiana, USA
The Great War Display Team, UK
Gulf Coast Wing of the CAF, Houston, Texas, USA
Halifax Restoration Team, Canada
Hardwick Warbirds, Topcroft, Norfolk, UK
Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd., RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire, UK
Highland Lakes Squadron of the CAF, Burnet, Texas, USA
Historic Aircraft Association (HAA), UK
Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS), Australia
Historical Aircraft Squadron, Ohio, USA
Int’l Association of Aviation Historians (Air-Britain)
International Aviation Photography Agency
International Bird Dog Association (IBDA)
International Cockpit Club
International Council of Airshows (ICAS)
International F-104 Society
International Liaison Pilots and Aircraft Association (ILPA)
The Int’l Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR)
IPMS Aerobatic Display Teams Special Interest Group
Jet Provost Club, Doncaster, UK
L-19 Bird Dog Association
Lake Superior Detachment 101 (CAF), Duluth, Minnesota,USA
Lancashire Aircraft Investigation Group
Latin American Aviation Historical Society (LAAHS)
Lewis Air Legends
Liberty Foundation, The (B-17G “Liberty Belle”)
Lightning Flying Club
Lima Lima Team (T-34s)
Marine Helicopter Squadron 361 Veterans Ass’n, Inc.
Nanton Lancaster Society and Museum, Canada
National Biplane Association, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
National Capitol Squadron of the CAF, Virginia, USA
National Warbird Operator Conference (NWOC), USA
Naval Helicopter Historical Society (NHHS)
New Zealand Warbirds Association
North American Trainer Association (NATA)
North Georgia Warbird Squadron #17, USA
Ohio Valley Wing of the CAF, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Oklahoma Wreckchasing, Oklahoma, USA
Old Flying Machine Company (OFMC), Duxford, UK
OV-1 Mohawk Association, USA
OV-10 Bronco Association, USA
OV-10 Bronco Association, German Wing
P-38 National Association, USA
P-47 Thunderbolt Pilot’s Association
P-47 Advocates
Propliners of America, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Real Aeroplane Company, Breighton, UK
Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association (“River Rats”)
Red Star Pilots Association (RPA)
Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), USA
Royal Navy Historic Flight, UK
Sabre Pilots Ass’n of the Air Division Squadrons (SPAADS)
Scandinavian Historic Flight, Oslo, Norway
Service Air Corps
Skyhawk Association, The
TIGHAR: The Int’l Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery
Society of Air Racing Historians
South African Airways Museum Society
South Berkshire Aviation Society, UK
Southern California Wing, CAF, Camarillo, California, USA
Stearman Flight
Stearman Restorer’s Association (SRA)
Stirling Aircraft Association, Netherlands
Swordfish Heritage Trust, UK
T-28 Trojan Foundation
T-34 Association
T-6 Racing Association
Ulster Aviation Society, UK
Valiant Air Command (VAC), Florida, USA
Vintage Aircraft Association, USA
Vintage Wings of Canada Foundation
Vulcan Operating Company (VOC), UK
Waco Historical Society
Warbirds of America (WoA)
Warbirds of Delaware
Warbird Heritage Foundation, Waukegan, Illinois, USA
Warbirds of Norway
Warbirds Over Long Island, New York, USA
Warbirds Unlimited, Mesa, Arizona, USA
Warbirds West Air Museum, El Cajon, CA, USA
West Houston Squadron of the CAF, Houston, Texas, USA
White 1 Foundation
Wings of the North, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA
Wisconsin Wing, CAF, Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
World War II Warbird Group, Stockton, California, USA
Charlie WalksonWater OCTOBER 2, 2019 AT 2:48 PM
I’ve checked all my books and no mention of any 2 seaters. This does not count the F-82 Twin Mustang.
@Chance – No I’m not misguided and it has nothing to do with freedom etc. I’m realistic. Yes, the B-17 was very rugged, but there are only a handful still airworthy. For every one that crashes, a major percentage of flyable aircraft are lost. Future generations should be able to see them in person, not just videos.
@ f4u, I didnt mention the f 82 to him. I thought he would take that and fly with it, so to speak, and claim it was a trainer.
Thanks for looking.
I just was in the Aluminum Overcast a few weeks ago at Lost Nation airport. What I don’t understand about this crash is why it couldn’t land with one engine out. There must have been something else going on because even with 10 people (normal crew was 9 – 10) and no armament, it would be far from grossed out weight wise.
Re: the two-seat, North American P-51 Mustang.
It’s typically called the TF-51D, and only a handful were ever built. These were not used to any extent during WW II, and nearly every Mustang pilot graduated from the North American AT-6 Texan (AT for Advanced Trainer) directly into the Mustang.
Primary recognition feature of the TF variant: Notice the taller vertical stabilizer and rudder.
Excellent pictures of a real TF-51D here:
https://www.lewisairlegends.com/tf-51d-mustang
Many original P-51D’s have been converted to two seats by their civilian owners; long after the war ended. But the TF-51D, sometimes designated TP-51C or TRF-51D were military, two-seat variants of the legendary Mustang.
@F4U
There are plenty of non-airworthy B-17 Flying Fortresses to see on the ground, but you might as well be looking at a picture.
Until you see, hear, feel and smell one start-up (all four engines), taxi out, and take off, and then rumble by overhead at full chat, you have not experienced a “Fort”, and THAT is an experience worth the effort!!
Great video, but never as good as the real thing:
https://youtu.be/2GlJvFLo59w
@F4U
One last thought, you wrote, “…but there are only a handful still airworthy. For every one that crashes, a major percentage of flyable aircraft are lost.”
What’s the point of having an airworthy (flyable) aircraft and not flying it? We call those “Hangar Queens” and they’re about as useless as a puppy with two peckers!
All kidding aside, I do appreciate your interest and concern, Thank You.
@ Chance…So I’m still correct in saying no p51 two seat trainer was ever built or flown during WW2.
It’s very sad to hear of the tragic loss of life. The survivors are probably in for a very long recovery.
I was fortunate to fly on a B-17 named “Madras Maiden” in July 2017. I’ll never forget sitting in the bombardier seat behind the Norton bombsight as we flew low along the Lake Erie shore. It was well worth the price. The thought of crashing never entered my mind.
Those things shouldn’t be flying anymore. Unless the obama’s are aboard.
Hey Anony,
No prob with O’Bammy brood hitching Space-A on one of the warbirds, right now. I bet the gals’ bay doors work just fine. Aircrew might even graciously toss ’em a handful of original issue B-7(AN-6512)PPAs, on the way out. Better than a carnival ride!
TWD
I’d fly on a B-17 every day if I could.
No, it didn’t:
The Collings Flying Fortress was built at Long Beach, CA by the Douglas Aircraft Company and accepted on April 7, 1945. Although she was too late for combat, #44-83575 did serve as part of the Air/Sea 1st Rescue Squadron and later in the Military Air Transport Service.
In April 1952, #44-83575 was instrumented and subjected to the effects of three different nuclear explosions. After a thirteen-year “cool down” period, #44-83575 was sold as part of an 800-ton scrap pile and Aircraft Specialties Company began the restoration of the aircraft.
Same here HB!
Been on one twice when Confederate Air Force flew them into local airshows…was not able to go up, though.
Did get to in a B-29 once, though, early ’80s. Was in Bliss, literally. Was stationed there. During a visit to relatives in Lubbock TX, however, saw one taxiing up to the GA terminal. Banged a U-Turn and bee-lined in to chat the aircrew up, who gave me an impromptu tour. Turns out they were transiting FiFI out to Hollyweird to do a movie, don’t remember which one. Anyway, one of the big Wright Double-Cyclones went out in-flight, forcing an unscheduled landing. They were there for about a week, while replacing the big radial, right there on the tarmac. Once they were done, they offered a handful of us more persistent starry-eyed malingerers a spin through the traffic pattern, a time or two.
While in high school, I’d earned a civilian pvt ticket, and was currently working on Instructor. A number of things really stood out for me in that all too brief flight: The avionics were god-awful primitive, and, at altitude and speed, you couldn’t hear yourself think, much less communicate. Vibes from the four big mills completely invested the aircraft…it was glorious!! It never once occurred to me that it might crash. In its day the B-29 was the Epitomy of aviation science, yet I was amazed, and impressed, that her crews had been able to repeatedly navigate these things across the vast Pacific expanse, in formations, to end a war. I wanted one, along with a Peacemaker.
TWD
@Chance, options vary.