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Video & Multimedia

ewagner

(18,967 posts)

3. Congrats...

Reply to Cooley Hurd (Original post)

Sun Jul 22, 2012, 11:12 AM

Jul 2012

I wonder how many people know why "Memphis Belle" is so significant to our history.

If I recall, the Air Force lost some 65,000 men over Europe during WWII. On some missions the loss rate was as high as 30% if I correctly remember my history. The bravery required just to climb aboard for one more mission is beyond my feeble powers of comprehension. The crews were required to complete 25 missions before they could return home as instructors. Memphis Belle was one of the few crews that survived 25 missions and rotated back to the states.

Sacrifice and bravery ....that's the significance of Memphis Belle.

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Highlight:

I flew on a B-17 last Sunday - I won the ride in a raffle! [View all] Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 OP

great work on the video. zeemike Jul 2012 #1

Memphis Belle is a rather famous B-17... PoliticAverse Jul 2012 #2

The original Memphis Belle is at the USAF Museum, under restoration. Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #4

Thank you for sharing the experience with all of us. FarPoint Jul 2012 #6

Geneseo, NY. It was a great show this year! Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #15

Congrats... ewagner Jul 2012 #3

The fascinating thing about American bombing and British bombing is... Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #13

True..and... ewagner Jul 2012 #38

I Have A DVD That Has The Last Mission Of The Belle TheMastersNemesis Jul 2012 #18

Agreed. What happened in the late thirties-40's is an important lesson that can still be applied... Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #22

I also have "Memphis Belle" ewagner Jul 2012 #39

How cool! NV Whino Jul 2012 #5

After takeoff, I made a beeline to the bombardier position... Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #14

Well done. Thanks for sharing. n/t Hotler Jul 2012 #7

It was truly an unforgettable experience! Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #23

Looks like they kept it at a really low altitude. Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #8

Sadly, no... Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #10

"..but the rest of her was wide open!" Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #30

There's not that many B-17s left flying Major Nikon Jul 2012 #9

Especially this one - their fuel bill is humongous! Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #11

They use almost as much oil as fuel Major Nikon Jul 2012 #12

The oil puddles under each engine certainly prove that! Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #17

We Live Near A Regional Airport TheMastersNemesis Jul 2012 #16

I've been an airport rat since the age of 10... Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #19

My son did that a few years ago. Lugnut Jul 2012 #20

I started out in the Radio Op's posit during the takeoff... Cooley Hurd Jul 2012 #21

So many memmories DreamSmoker Jul 2012 #24

2 kewl icarusxat Jul 2012 #25

Nice video DontTreadOnMe Jul 2012 #26

The sound these planes make is distinctive. hunter Jul 2012 #27

Nicely done. I have two brothers, 'Nam-era A/F veterans who would love this. joanbarnes Jul 2012 #28

Cool! Sherman A1 Jul 2012 #29

I'd pay for a ride like that (if I could) DainBramaged Jul 2012 #31

Many of the old bombers that are still flying take tours around the country and give people rides Major Nikon Jul 2012 #32

Well done. We used to have them fly over my property once a week and since we were on a hill, they freshwest Jul 2012 #33

It looked totally awesome. RebelOne Jul 2012 #34

Very cool! Hassin Bin Sober Jul 2012 #35

Reminds me of an old George Carlin bit demwing Jul 2012 #36

K&R! Beautifully done! Rhiannon12866 Jul 2012 #37