Liberty Belle audio

[Glenn E. Chatfield]

The pilot in the other plane obviously was part of the group because he called the B-17 pilot by name and told him to put it down.



http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/b-17-bomber-landing-radio-123859594.html

[Ztex]

Yeah they were flying "chase" in an AT-6 that day. It was a fortunate day all around...except for the airplane.

More info here...
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=41377

[Doug Robertson]

The other pilot speaking to the B-17 was in the T-6 chase plane of the group and radioed them the situation, whereby the B-17 pilot shut down the engine on fire and the fuel to it, made a decent wheels down good landing in a handy field, exited with all aboard safe and then watched the plane be consumed by fire because the fire trucks would not go into the soft field, fearing being bogged down. A real tragedy, but a superb landing with a port wing engine fire. The photo I saw of the B-17 in the field before being consumed by fire did not appear to have the aircraft's wheels mired down. The firemen made a call to save their heavy trucks from possibly being stuck in the soft ground, rather than venture in to put out the fire.

[Ztex]

It's not really visible in the photos but the B-17 wheels are buried to the axles.One fire truck got stuck ON THE ROAD before they could get close to the field. One truck tried another route and got stuck in the field just out of hose reach.
I heard from some one yesterday day that was out there helping with the recovery and he said the the mud was deep and difficult to WALK in...much less drive in.

Apparently that field was underwater two days prior to the landing...

Tough situation.

[Doug Robertson]

The photo I saw may have been taken right after the aircraft landing and stoppage. Only some smoke and fire was visible, but the main right gear wheel was fully visible with some of the tire below also visible. The aircraft likely sunk further into the mire and the firemen no doubt did all that was possible to get near the fire.

An engine fuel fire on takeoff is a dicey situation and the recent Omega Air Refueling B707-321B tanker fire at NTD on 18 May consumed virtually the entire aircraft and it was on hard ground but the firemen finally let it burn out over three and a half plus hours. Liberty Belle will be rebuilt if possible-is my understanding.

[Ztex]

You can see the first truck that got stuck in this photo...off to the left of the aircraft.


(WGN-TV / June 13, 2011)