p.s. new post, "miracle B-17" is ready for your
review. . Happy Still-Speaking-English Day! -- j

Happy Valentine's Day!

I have some photos of a B17 which flew back home
after having had a mid-air collision with a fighter
whose wing nearly cut the 17's tail off. . removed
the left horiz. stabilizer. . let's see . . . how can I
attach photos here? . new post? . let's see....... -- j

Thanks John, and thank you for your service.

Several years ago, on Valentine's Day, I had taken Mom out for supper. The restaurant is near the local airport, and when driving home, I heard a large, multi-engine going overhead. Turns out that it was a B-17 turning short final. There was an air show in Orlando the next day and here is where the old warbirds were spending the nights. We went out to the ramp where she taxied up, and spoke with the pilots. To make a long story short, the plane had been built at River Rouge during the time that Mom worked there, and she probably had hands on while it was being built. She showed us where she bucked rivets, the hydraulic lines that she worked on, and some other stories of the time.

It was a great day for Mom and for me as well.

now That Is The Greatest Generation. . the B17 was
the most eager-to-fly airplane of the war, it seemed.
I got to pilot a c47 for a little while when I was an
rotc cadet, and the thing was wonderfully compliant,
for a huge contraption! . Thanks Much for the story, Salty!!! -- j

My Mother, rest her soul, was a real life, honest to goodness Rosie the Riveter. She bucked rivets on the B-17 at the Ford River Rouge plant in Michigan.