This video is dedicated to the following members of the Commemorative Air Force - Terry Barker, Craig Hutain, Kevin "K5" Michels, Dan Ragan, Leonard "Len" Root, and Curt Rowe - who lost their lives in a tragic crash on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the Wings Over Dallas WWII Airshow while performing in "Texas Raiders" B-17G Flying Fortress. Please join us in offering our deepest condolences for the loss of our good friends and fellow airmen.

Oh wow! This makes it even more hard hitting. Such a great loss in all areas. Knowledge....Life....History. Thank you guys for your service to Aviation History.

I can’t believe she’s gone. I grew up with this plane. Saw it at wings over houston countless times.

Was really looking forward to finally seeing her in person next year... My condolences to the families of those who died in todays crash.

RIP Buddy, RIP to the rest of the crew and folks who were in the crash

@matthewchapman3507

Жыл бұрын

Thankfully, Buddy was not on board during the accident.

@Vito_993

Жыл бұрын

Maybe Do some research buddy didn’t die

@IronSnakeAce

Жыл бұрын

@@V1AbortV2 ?

@NishnaValleyRailVideos

Жыл бұрын

@@V1AbortV2 what the hell is wrong with you?

It’s so sad knowing she’s gone along with her crew 😢

I was very fortunate to work with with Texas Raiders and her crew when they visited Wings Over the Rockies. It was an honor to spend so many hours with the B-17, pilots, mechanics, and schedulers. Yesterday's accident was a tremendous loss for aviators, historians, educators, and the uncountable masses who have been inspired by the aircraft. My deepest condolences to those who were close to the crew. Long may we cherish the memory of Texas Raiders and support the Commemorative Air Force's continued mission to restore these spectacular aircraft.

Fair winds and Blue skies Texas Raiders and N6763, though you may be gone now we will see you again some day.

R.I.P to the wonderful crew of this beautiful machine. I was out there in centennial when this was here. Did a flight that day too. Can't believe that crash happened like it did. 😞

Flying into the afterlife. RIP.

My grandfather was an aviation mechanic stationed in Britain for the duration of WWII and maintained these aircrafts. 1 out of 5 pilots would never return from bombing campaigns so let this recent tragedy during the WWII reenactment in Dallas be the last. We salute you Buddy for your passion for aviation history and the legacy you leave behind 🇺🇸

@cubatime72

Жыл бұрын

Where was he based?

@jkorshak

Жыл бұрын

Happy to say that though this remains a terrible tragedy, Buddy Cooksey was not involved in this accident.

Hard to watch knowing what happened today, but at least the history will live on. Thank you!!

RIP 🙏💔

A fantastic video. In case anyone doesn’t know, an excellent book which gives a first hand account of what it was like to serve on board a B17 in WW2 is ‘Savage Sky’ by George Webster.

I was blessed enough to see this plane at Falcon Field in Peach Tree City GA. Most recently in 2021. May God bless all those involved in this horrific accident. Such a sad day for aviation. Only 8 B17's remain in operational use. Praying hard tonight.

I'm an Army brat. In the 50s I would go to the kids summer camp on base. During the military show week we were taken out to see all the equipment. There were lots of planes. Part of the day we were allowed to crawl all over the B 17 that always came. I was a tomboy so I was playing bombing raid with the boys! As I was older mom told me about our flight across across the Atlantic in a B 17 hospital transport. I was born a premie in Frankfurt. Mom was a WAC, Dad a career medic. At 6 weeks old it was decided I should survive the flight. We flew out within 2 weeks of the Berlin airlift starting. I wish so much that could have been old enough to remember the flight. I always go to the shows when one comes to town. I'm saying prayers for all of those touched by this crash.

RIP Beautiful plane! Thanks for the ride 13 years ago. I’ll never forget that!

RIP BUDDY and everyone else and RIP my favorite B17

We Americans mourn six great airmen, and two excellent aircraft. In loving memory.

I will admit I was afraid to watching this after 2 months since the accident I really didn’t want to after the first video knowing the fate of the crew my best condolences to the family, I’m glad to have finally watched this to remember what they were like

I toured this aircraft about 20 years ago in Dallas. She was in great condition. So sad. RIP to the crew.

Fly high into Eternity, Texas Raiders and crew.

This was my first B17 to tour when I was a kid in 1996. Now it's gone, a priceless piece of history - it feels like I've lost s friend. I'm grieving.

A lot of love and passion went into this aircraft and keeping it flying. Awful loss. Condolences to all those lives lost.

These planes that fly are more Important than the ones sitting around that can’t fly. It brings history to the people.

R.I.P., pilot and crew. such a tragedy. thoughts and prayers for the families of those that lost their lives today.

CAF renovated TR to a superb restoration, so sorry the crews and aeroplanes lost, RIP to all the families, they passed doing what they loved. SO sad.

That’s so sad knowing buddy and the rest-of the crew and also the other plane pilot died yesterday R.I.P boys!!

@Thirdgen83

Жыл бұрын

Buddy didn't die.

Just seeing this video now after the tragic event.... my heart aches for the CAF family and those effected by this terrible accident.

The reason KZread is pushing this to the front is horrible, but I hope the tiny contribution from this view helps preserve some history. Good people were lost today, but also, some important historical artifacts.

@darreno1450

Жыл бұрын

I'm glad they did. I wanted to know more about the aircraft and crew.

@kevintaylor791

Жыл бұрын

@@darreno1450 Don't get me wrong, maybe horrible was the wrong word. Sad perhaps? Unfortunate? Tragic? I get why it popped up, I just wish it was for a better reason, ya know?

I'm heartbroken.

There wing's were ready but our hearts were not. Fly to heaven Texas Raiders. Your final mission is to complete. My father was in the CAF. He worked on this beautiful girl many times. Now they are both in heaven. 😇😇😇😇😇😇💔🙏❣️

RIP to the aircrew and this amazing priceless peice of American history.

Fair Winds and Blue Skies to the final Crew of this magnificent machine.

Love the b17 flying fortress

Rest in Peace. Such a sad loss....

So sad to hear the loss of lifes and these cherished planes. They have touched the face of God.

I salute her final crew.. Rest in peace Texas Raiders, fly high.

R.I.P Texas Raider

Thanks for sharing your video. I enjoyed watching. Take care and God Bless.

@yamkaw346

Жыл бұрын

This plane was destroyed just hours ago with buddy on board, absolutely tragic

I love the old military airplane radios

So terribly sad, RIP to them all

I’ve flown aboard Aluminum Overcast several times, great to see this video. Very well done production!

@nopeyadayadayada1248

Жыл бұрын

Me too

Wow , condolences to all affected by the tragic accident today

Godspeed, and farewell to the crew and the B-17 Texas Raiders. May you all rest in peace.

Thank you for your services, may God rest your souls. 🇺🇸🙏

terrible tragedy just a few days later. Really hope airshows get their act together and never send up multiple aircraft of different types and speed together, especially if it's a large multicrew likely full of paying passengers.

@thatguy8005

Жыл бұрын

Nope… can’t have passengers during an air show. Crew only… this seems to be an issue of poor coordination from the ground.

@ClingyCrab

Жыл бұрын

@react aerospace No, the crash was an accident due to poor planning and bad timing

@Seansolo420

Жыл бұрын

It happened today.

@Seansolo420

Жыл бұрын

Bless the souls lost.

@thatguy8005

Жыл бұрын

@@Seansolo420 he is talking about this report was made a few days ago… crash today

Beautiful aircraft with a awesome story.

Rest In Peace, amazing crew and plane lost, thanks for the documentation

Most beautiful aircraft I’ve ever seen!

Heartbreaking

It breaks my heart what happened to these wonderful gentlemen that spend their time volunteering and teaching the community of our country's history. May these wonderful gentlemen rest in Heavenly Paradise, and continue to keep their friends and family in your thoughts and prayers.

Such a tragic loss

crazy i just seen this plane 2 months ago and man was it a beauty.

Condolences to the families I saw it on the news sad day for vintage aviation...

2x as many machine guns thana P47 and a bombload. That was some firepower.A great video.

RIP. So incredibly sad.

Hard to believe less than 2 weeks later they'd be gone

Nice video! The Fort has been my favorite for a long time...if the aircraft was fully equipped, it would be more difficult to get around...the example being the full top turrent set up is not present, that's why it looks so spacious...at 11:14, where the cameraman was positioned, I believe there was a bracket to put a .50...the gun could be brought down , swung over & locked down...the window was removable...lots of wood was used for the bins to store equipment & ammo...just a marvellous aircraft...what a joy it must have been to explore & fly in her...thanks!!

@edgaraquino2324

Жыл бұрын

Such a sad day today...my condolences to the families for their losses...& to the CAF for TR's loss...gallant men & a gallant lady...RIP...RIP also to the pilot & condolences to his family & to those who were associated with the KC...

RIP: Ripped Into Pieces!

Such a tragedy for all involved. RIP

Very tragic today, rest in peace crew.

Godspeed 🙏😞

Godspeed

RIP

RIP :(

Rip 😢

Oh god, this was only days earlier. They haven’t even released the names of the fatalities yet so it’s possible that some of the guys in this video are dead…

Goodnight sweet prince.

Such a tragedy.

You wanted more, so here is a DETAILED TOUR for part 2! If you missed Part 1, check it out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=umQlt...

@rogerbritus9378

Жыл бұрын

What a great initiave to keep her memories alive in these videos. Thank you!

Any chance they’ll be selling salvaged parts from its wreck? Particularly its engine parts?

It’s crazy to thing that a lot of the things and faces you see died just the other day

Damn...

I don't see Buddy Cooksey on the list of Dallas Air Show victims .... maybe ought not to say RIP to Buddy if he wasn't involved 😢. The five members of the B-17 flight crew were Terry Barker and Leonard “Len” Root, both of Keller; Dan Ragan, of Dallas; Curtis “Curt” Rowe, of Hilliard, Ohio; and Kevin “K5” Michels, of Austin. The P-63 was flown by Craig Hutain, who was from the Houston area.

@arkwill14

Жыл бұрын

I believe that Buddy Cooksey literally flew his retirement last flight in a B-17 early that day at the airshow on the day of the accident. I don't know if it was in a different B-17 or an earlier flight on this plane. I saw it from a clip here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/jIF_qcFmkrGdnso.html&lc=UgxYd2C5AbJwJtBZ3sZ4AaABAg.9iLUMajzxo99iR6Se4yHYp

@PlaneSaddles

4 ай бұрын

He was the pilot for the earlier Tora act. I had already reminded myself that Buddy wouldn't have been on board in that 10 seconds she was still in the air.

RIP the best airplane ever

She flew alot above my house, can't believe I will no longer hear her slow humming anymore :(

Wasn't sure I could watch this...

rip

Rip 😭

I was there, front of the standing room for onlookers to view that direction. Jaw dropping to see and so unfortunate, to witness. At first it looked like the rt side wing came off but from my friends iPhone video who captured the whole event 30 sec before to 3 minutes after, then we could see the other plane come in banking and take out the B-17's aft section. The one good thing if any was these folks involved didn't suffer from injury or probably have time to even know they were in trouble. The 2 impacts where the forces were so massive that their end was quick. They died doing what they loved and what they where so passionate about so there is some honor thought it would be much better if this never happened. God has a plan for everything where hopefully these pilots and crew where apart of that plan/saved through Jesus sacrifice for the N.T. Otherwise a true loss of a spiritual life/s which never end.

The fact this is was uploaded only 12 days ago is insane.

R.I.P.

God speed to the crew that has flown west. Peace and blessings to their families.

R.I.P

This was difficult to watch, makes the impact of the accident worse when you see the man killed in it, and how he, and the others had a passion that is rare.

Rip

It's sad but not many people get to die doing what they love

Such a tragedy for everyone.

oh no... sadness now. :(

Was buddy flying at the time of the crash?

Made this video just in time

😢😢😢🇬🇧🙏❤️

RIP Texas Rangers!

@nadilenebudski

Жыл бұрын

Raiders*

an amazing story and a beautiful plane but its sad to think this plane crashed killing many people mere hours ago

I wonder if anyone out there has (or is thinking) build a world war 2 aircraft to scale using modern techniques?

@dukecraig2402

Жыл бұрын

Yes, there's a guy who built a little 4 engine B17 that I can't remember what he used for engine's but to give you an idea of the scale it's cockpit is in such a position that his head is up in a plexiglass bubble that's where the top turret would be on a B17, he actually gets in it and flies it around. I wish I could remember some kind of keyword to tell you so you could find it here on KZread but it's been a year or so since I saw the video.

😢😢

and no more of this plane :( RIP crew.

Survived the entire war over the skies of Europe, converted in a flying museum, a relic of the golden era of aviation and ended up rammed by a fool (sorry but I'm really mad at the pilot of that P-39, that was a very rookie mistake)

@SrRona

Жыл бұрын

It was actually a p63

@Hjerte_Verke

Жыл бұрын

It looks intentional because it was such a direct hit but it does not make any sense--people say he didn't see the bomber but for 100+ yards (it appears) he was heading straight for it.

@wckdvnmproductions

Жыл бұрын

@@Hjerte_Verke p-63 is clearly banking at an altitude above the b-17; he was coming descending and never saw the plane I’d imagine as there’s massive blind spots on the cobra’s and king cobras. Even if he would have reacted it was way too late.

@darreno1450

Жыл бұрын

Having lost several of these in the recent past, they should keep them on the ground in museums. It doesn't matter how skillful a pilot is, they can make mistakes which are often deadly in these types of events. And that's not taking into account all the other factors that can lead to a crash.

@ME262MKI

Жыл бұрын

@@Hjerte_Verke I wouldn't say it was intentional, more like negligence, the others P-63 were flying in formation far away from the B-17s, he was going too fast causing to make a wider turn

B-17 Swamp Ghost 🛩 kzread.info/dash/bejne/o4F6mcOidLKZg8Y.html