Something Neat on the Commute Home Today

[StPatrick]

As I was making my way home from work earlier today, westbound near Cool Springs, I saw an airplane to the north of me.  It was quite a ways away, but something about the shape seemed different than the SWA 737s I'm used to seeing overhead.  Traffic was slow, so I was able to watch it, and decided it looked like a B-29.  My BIL is a fan of military history and lives in the area it was flying over, so I shot him a text to let him know to look for it.  As it turns out, he knew about the flyover and even knew the name of the aircraft - it was a B-29 after all, so I felt vindicated.

 

 

 

The name of the aircraft?  The Memphis Belle!  Finding out it was the Belle absolutely made my day.  That was a cool coincidence and a great opportunity to see a piece of American history in the skies, even if at a long distance.  Just Awesome.

[TrickyNicky]

The Memphis Belle is a B-17.

Also worth noting that the Belle is located at the Airforce museum under going restoration.

Sorry to crap on your parade. :p

[Raoul]

On a positive note, there's nothing like seeing one of the old birds in the sky. 

[hipower]

Actually, the ship you saw was the Liberty Belle. The plane was painted up as the Memphis Belle for promotional use and air shows. And this was the ship used in the movie Memphis Belle. It was at Smyrna Airfield this past weekend for open to the public flights.

AND I was on it Sunday afternoon for one of the flights. It was awesome.

That's the short story. Maybe I'll attempt to tell the whole story later.

[hipower]

On a positive note, there's nothing like seeing one of the old birds in the sky.

Except being on one of the old birds in the sky.

[daddyo]

So, I'm confused. Was it a B-17 or a B-29?

[cajunpredfan]

I saw it as we were leaving the church after paying our last respects to our pastor, who passed away on Friday.  I thought, what a send off.  I am pretty sure that it was a B-17

[monkeylizard]

Dang it hipower...Call me jealous.

 

daddyo, it was a B-17. Like hipower said, it was the Liberty Belle, which was painted up as the Memphis Belle and used in the movie by the same name.

http://www.libertyfoundation.org/index.html

[StPatrick]

Well sh...ucks. Edited June 25, 2013 by StPatrick

[hipower]

I promise to relate the whole story later, but it was the most fun I've had in a looonnng time. Worth the cost.

 

I missed the opportunity 5 years ago. I was scheduled to ride along in 2008, but my cancer issues cost me the opportunity.

 

So this was the truly second chance that we're sometimes given. At least for me.

 

I had the choice of going or holding on to the money for something else.

 

My wife says I made the right choice.  Bless her. I agree.

Edited June 25, 2013 by hipower

[Westwindmike]

Money well spent!!!

[Luke E.]

Actually, the ship you saw was the Liberty Belle. The plane was painted up as the Memphis Belle for promotional use and air shows. And this was the ship used in the movie Memphis Belle. It was at Smyrna Airfield this past weekend for open to the public flights.

AND I was on it Sunday afternoon for one of the flights. It was awesome.

That's the short story. Maybe I'll attempt to tell the whole story later.

It came over as i was walking to the car after church. I wasn't 100% what it was but all makes sense now.

[peejman]

...  That's the short story. Maybe I'll attempt to tell the whole story later.

 

 

You'd better.  :)

[monkeylizard]

Well crap....now you've got me considering a short road trip to Memphis this weekend to go up for a ride....

[Joseg]

Saw it, nice seeing the old war bird up in the air.. yes B17..