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B-17's nose & cockpit blown off
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This group is open to everyone who likes any kind of aircraft
looks more like a B-17 due to the hump on the back.
That's definately B17 and It's nose is completely blown off. This pic was takken when It was falling? And how did this happen?
One word: Flak.
It may not be falling. The pilot sits at the top, right in front of the dome turret, but I can't really tell if the cockpit is intact. If it is, there aren't any critical components in the nose so it could still be flying.
there is "only" the nosegunner ;-)
B-17.
There ya go
Yeah its probably still got pilots, the damage didn't pass further than the rotors much so I think its safe to assume it does.
398th.org
an article that might possibly be talking about this specific aircraft
the “Mizpah”
this B-17 Flying Fortress was hit by an 88mm shell while on a mission to bomb the Shell Oil refinery in Budapest on 14th July 1944.
the shell exploded in the nose, causing it to peel up and over the cockpit - just missing the tail assembly. Bombardier Kenneth W. Dudley and navigator Joseph H. Henderson were killed instantly. Incredibly, the pilot and co-pilot were able to keep the aircraft in the air for ten minutes without instruments or windshield.
All the remaining 8 crew successfully bailed out, and were captured..
My father (Captain Robert Bennett at the time) was a B-17 pilot in WW11 and knew Joseph H Henderson because he was my father's navigator on many missions (47 bomb wing). After reading your comment I called him (he is now 92) and told him of your posting. He was not aware that Joe was killed. He had allot of respect for him. Strangely, this same event occurred to my father over France. An artillery shell exploded at the nose, the Bombardier and navigator were killed, but he was able to fly back to England and land even though he was hit with shrapnel in the leg. To be honest, I saw this photograph 3 years ago and always thought it was my dad's plane. How did you identify this aircraft with such detailed information. Were you related to one of the crew?
My father (Captain Robert Bennett at the time) was a B-17 pilot in WW11 and knew Joseph H Henderson because he was my father's navigator on many missions (47 bomb wing). After reading your comment I called him (he is now 92) and told him of your posting. He was not aware that Joe was killed. He had allot of respect for him. Strangely, this same event occurred to my father over France. An artillery shell exploded at the nose, the Bombardier and navigator were killed, but he was able to fly back to England and land even though he was hit with shrapnel in the leg. To be honest, I saw this photograph 3 years ago and always thought it was my dad's plane. How did you identify this aircraft with such detailed information. Were you related to one of the crew?
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