Salute

[ninja turtle]

Hi my underwater friends.

I'd like to share this youtube link with you all, especially my American friends on this forum. It's not submarine based but I have a fond connection with the B17 Memphis Belle. Not only do I love the film but I also have other ties with her.

She flew from Bassingbourn, Royston Cambs UK with the 91st Heavy Bomber Group, which is where I was based for 15 years while it was an Army Training Camp up until last year when I was transferred to Colchester. I have lived in two married quarters (married twice whilst stationed there) on this camp and my work place (rehearsal room - I'm a bandsman) is situated in one of the three still standing hangers. Who knows maybe the Memphis Belle was repaired where I actually sat playing the clarinet?

The B17 that portrayed the Memphis Belle in the film was the Sally B, the only flying B17 in Europe which is housed at Duxford Imperial War Museum only twenty minutes away from Bassingbourn. I help financially when I can to keep her airborne.

If anyone might be in the vicinity of Duxford I thoroughly recommend the museum, and if anyone passes the gate of Bassingbourn Barracks on the A1198, tip your hat and salute those who served with the 91st. I hope you enjoy the short film and reflect a little.

:salute:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LZP5R109yo&list=WLiqs4P9OOUFCWfyb77fvLgwWWMYsfGDj0

[Oberon]

Fantastic film, thanks for posting. I live not that far from RAF Framlingham, home to the 95th and 390 bombardment Heavys. If you're ever up across the border in sunny Suffolk, check out the museum at Parham, it's set up in the old control tower and is a labour of love, and it shows, well worth a look. Here's their website:
http://www.parhamairfieldmuseum.co.uk/

[Wolferz]

Nice link NT. Thank you.:salute:

I have the pleasure of seeing one of the ten still flying 17's supported by the Collings Foundation that visits our little berg on occasion. My wife laughs at me when I hear that plane come over our house because I always exclaim; "That's a B-17!" and I run outside to get a look.:haha: Then it's up the mountain to the airfield to take a look at her up close and personal. They provide short hops aboard her for a sizeable donation. I think I'll do it the next time she visits. They also bring their B-24 Liberator when they visit.:up:
http://www.collingsfoundation.org/tour_b-17g.htm

[Takeda Shingen]

Wonderful aesthetic to those [moving] pictures. I think I may be in the minority, but I love the old color films. Something about the grain just makes it pleasing to watch. Along those lines, here's a link to the full WWII in color film. It passed youtube's intellectual property censor, so it should be legal, but moderators can feel free to remove it or ask me to remove it if they are worried.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmkg4TpgEGM

[August]

They provide short hops aboard her for a sizeable donation. I think I'll do it the next time she visits.

That's something I always wanted to do.

[ninja turtle]

Fantastic film, thanks for posting. I live not that far from RAF Framlingham, home to the 95th and 390 bombardment Heavys. If you're ever up across the border in sunny Suffolk, check out the museum at Parham, it's set up in the old control tower and is a labour of love, and it shows, well worth a look. Here's their website:
http://www.parhamairfieldmuseum.co.uk/

I was playing in the private school opposite framlingham castle the other week, coincidentally and will be there again in a few days. I'll hopefully check out the museum if I get an opportunity

:salute:

[ninja turtle]

My wife laughs at me when I hear that plane come over our house because I always exclaim; "That's a B-17!" and I run outside to get a look.:haha:

Yeah I get that when a spitfire flies over the house when I lived in bassingbourn, especially if it's the spitfire Grace :yep:

Love that sound

[ninja turtle]

That's something I always wanted to do.

I had the fortunate opportunity to get inside the Sally B once as I know one of the support members :yeah:

[fireftr18]

Thanks for the link. Good film.
Years ago, at the Dayton, Ohio air show, The Confederate Air Force had one their B-17's there. They were giving tours and just happen to be 1st in line behind a gentleman that was actually a bombardier on a B-17.

[Oberon]

Yeah I get that when a spitfire flies over the house when I lived in bassingbourn, especially if it's the spitfire Grace :yep:

Love that sound

x2, she flies over here fairly frequently :up: Beautiful, unmistakable sound. :yeah:

[Jimbuna]

I had the fortunate opportunity to get inside the Sally B once as I know one of the support members :yeah:

Nice one :cool:

[ninja turtle]

x2, she flies over here fairly frequently :up: Beautiful, unmistakable sound. :yeah:

:yeah: :yep: :rock: :yeah:

Need I say more? :salute:

[Cybermat47]

I can't access YouTube, but I take it that the video is of the Belle's 25th mission? I've got that on DVD, quite remarkable!

[ninja turtle]

Hi guys

Just for a bit of info if you watch the film. At 10'05 you can see four hangers. The top one no longer exists but the second one down is the hanger I worked in. The next one was the gym. Had many a fun time in there :hmmm:

No honestly it was the best gym IMO in the British Army :yep:

Also the church at the beginning is where I rehearsed my village band.

If I can find them I'll post some photos.

I feel homesick :wah:

[ninja turtle]

I can't access YouTube, but I take it that the video is of the Belle's 25th mission? I've got that on DVD, quite remarkable!

Yes it is. There's some additional info in the 'About' section which explains quite a bit about the crew who were not together throughout the 25 missions and that 'Hell's Angels' was the first B17 to complete the 25 etc. An excellent film none the less

:yep:

[ninja turtle]

As promised here are a couple of photos of the memorial just inside the main gate of Bassingbourn Barracks. The church at the beginning of the film isn't where I rehearsed, unfortunately but I shall endeavour to find it in a village nearby. Some people, like my American friends might be pleased to hear that Bassingbourn is still quite a dreamy, agricultural village :up: