Posted on 07/27/2018 3:37:48 PM PDT by eastforker
My dad was a B-26 crewmember in Sicily, North Africa, and later went to Okinawa in early 44. While many were built in Omaha, the plane was known as the Baltimore Whore - no visible means of support. When he was training in FL, his crew saw three aircraft literally fall out of the sky. Made them less than anxious to make their takeoff that day. He said they never had any problems in his group.
https://youtu.be/pbpc-NJHcZ8?t=724
Here it is at the part about Tulsa. The whole clip is worth it, but for those in a hurry.
In those days military aircraft crashed a lot. You never heard anything about it.
My dad was taller than George but otherwise looked just like him.
Self ping.
Looking at old airfields is cool.
Here is one that became Busch Gardens north of Tampa
http://www.airfields-freeman.com/FL/Airfields_FL_TampaN.htm
Also, not many folks know that Orlando International Airport has the letter code - MCO.
Orlando was once a B52 bomber base called McCOy Airfield. Only 2mi long runways in existence on the East Coast at the time.
I think your spell check was on. The B 26 was the “Widow Maker” and not “Winemaker.”
IIRC Ed was a Marine pilot in Korea
Thanks for the laugh!
A classic Carson-sequence. Right up there with the Jay Silverheels axe throwing bit!
I think it went, “Sometimes I think the world is a tuxedo, and I’m a pair of brown shoes.
In the case of the Marauder, it became a nationwide big deal, national news. Truman as a senator put together an investigative committee to address the problems and fixes.
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