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Flight on the B-17 Flying Fortress, 'the Memphis Belle' with veteran William Yepes
The Liberty Foundation allowed us to fly on their Memphis Belle B-17 flying fortress with WWII veteran William Yepes.
The Liberty Foundation allowed us to fly on their Memphis Belle B-17 flying fortress with WWII veteran William Yepes.
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My grandfather (Mr. Yepes) was a bombardier on 'Lucky Linda' in the US Army Air Corps. PS-Thanks for posting and creating this video. It's great!
@samnigam3451
4 жыл бұрын
Your Grandad is a hero n a inspiration to me. Hello from India.
Man I love seeing these videos where these heroes are able to go back up on the kind of planes they fought in and we're fortunate enough to get their stories for years to come thanks to videos like this.
Notice how Mr Yepes knew where to grab the fuselage when descending into the bombardier position...his training and memories were never lost , just put on hold for 70 years. Brave men....so young.
@alancummings4304
6 жыл бұрын
Looked like he wanted to slide in on his butt, but looked like he was unsure of his shoulders too
@Mr.56Goldtop
5 жыл бұрын
Yes, at 1:07, 70 year old muscle memory in action. But then thought better of it lol!
@noenwarrior1
4 жыл бұрын
First thing I noticed
@samnigam3451
4 жыл бұрын
These guys were heroes. Respects from India
Lancaster and the B-17 were two gorgeous ladies we all loved. God Bless you Guys for all you did for us, that we may enjoy the life we have today. Thank You so much. Brit & US forces
When I was a kid I used to buy those model aircrafts and I lost count of how many B-17s I put together. My dad and I used to watch the TV show 12 o'clock high. Man I love seeing those aircraft.
@HebertHoober
4 жыл бұрын
the TV show was good but the 1949 film Twelve O'clock High was a masterpiece.The opening flashback scene where Dean Jagger visits the abandoned airfield after the war was one of the best ever filmed. Jagger is standing on the field cleaning his glasses and you hear an engine cranking over, then at full power the camera pans to a wheat field that is blown flat by the propeller blast and suddenly you flashback in time to the war. I get chills every time I see that scene. kzread.info/dash/bejne/nY6OzrKQhK3eg8Y.html
I have seen other Vets who flew in these Planes and some off them are still suffering post traumatic stress 70+ years later, I have tremendous respect for them they gave up some of there life to fight for our freedom today and some unfortunately didn’t come home.
Why is it I cry with these old guys who reunite with their units and equipment
The real MEMPHIS BELLE is on display in the air force museum. The one seen here is the movie version!
@aviation_foxtrot3945
4 жыл бұрын
I watched this one fly in Duxford, but ur right this is the one they used in 5he movie
@scottavery9108
2 жыл бұрын
But still a magnificent beauty
The B-17, best looking plane ever built.
@chrisfr2358
6 жыл бұрын
Mojo Risin there you are again
@870Rem12gauge
6 жыл бұрын
It had that bad ass look. Followed up with bad ass bombing missions.
@jeffwalther3935
6 жыл бұрын
the most beautiful, noisy and smokey, production bomber ever built - B-47. wasnt the stratojet the jet son of the fortress? B-52, the stratofortress seems more like a jet B-29. in the 60s i used to hear the J-47 jet engines late at night being run up for maintenance to full screaming power for 15 seconds or so then off. it was a wonderful sound to a little boy then.
@alfordpouse2518
6 жыл бұрын
Partial to the Republic Rainbow design as well as the Connie.
@LasVegas68
4 жыл бұрын
Totally agree with you!!
God Bless Mr. Yepes!!! Thank you for your service!! And to the 23,000 young brave air men that never came home to their loved one's, you are with God now so R.I.P. You gave your lives so that we could live on. I salute you!
Crazy brave our WW2 veterans. I can’t even imagine.
Goosebumps all over. What a plane. What an amazing courage. Forever in admiration and awe. We will never forget.
Awesome! Thanks to all the airmen that made the sacrifices and gave me the life I enjoy today. Truly, they really were the 'greatest generation.....Thanks so much!
Great to see these veterans have the opportunity to return and relive some of their experiences with these aircraft. Makes you realise enormous and insane the whole war situation was. 25 missions in a lumbering 4 engine bomber, flak, fighters, mech malfunctions, freak accidents.
What it must be like for a aging hero like Mr Yepes to get back on the flight controls n bombardier position on a B-17 Bomber refreshing his Wartime memory. He still knows the Bomber Bird quite well. What an honour. Mr Yepes is a gentle Hero. Respects from India.
You're a better man than I am sir, thank you for serving.
God bless these brave Men that flew in the B17 bomber! Thank you so much!!
@josezurita3742
5 жыл бұрын
"It is better to fall with honor than to win with fraud" Sophocles "The honor is to make beautiful what one is obliged to do." Alfred Victor De Vigny "Never sacrifice honor for achieving honors." Saying "A nation is known by the men it produces, but also by the men whom it honors." John F. Kennedy Profiles of Courage, 1956. "Honor to whom honor is due" Proverb Greetings from Venezuela.
to the 23,000 young brave air men that never came home to their loved one's your with god now so R.I.P you gave your life's so we could life on
@johnfisher1472
7 жыл бұрын
philip Well said
Very touching. God bless all of those very good men who laid it all on the line for us!
WAUW! what a machine....and what an experience it must have been for Yepes, going back up ..after all those years. i found myself getting quite emotional just thinking about how his memories must have lapsed.. Great video..thank you
That smile was the best. Great job
I remember seeing this beautiful plane at Duxford about 12 years ago when I was just a kid. Simply amazing.
@danmurphy4100
4 жыл бұрын
I seen it there June 2019 :) there is 2x B17s there then.
I salute you, Mr Yepes...
When you visit Cambridge (UK) go to the American War Cemetery, it will bring it home to you. For your tomorrow they gave their today. Memphis Belle flew from Bassingbourne, now a Army base. But still a place not given back to the plough or property developers. Sally B B17 fly's from Duxford War Museum near Cambridge, the same place used to film the Battle of Britain Fighter station scenes. During the modern Memphis Belle film that was filmed at Binbrook airfield Lincolnshire. That sound of them flying is inspiring. Less we forget.
It's a thrill to watch a B-17 come in for a landing. Watching them float over the numbers and touch down, was just amazing. You could feel the power of those engines coarse through you as the pilot taxied up to a stop. It never gets old.
TRULY A THRILLING FLIGHT EXPERIENCE. GOD BLESS THE WW II CREWS WHO GAVE IT ALL FOR ALL OF US FROM THESE 17s...
This was a wonderful video,thanks for sharing and thank you for taking our precious veteran flying once again!!
Wow! She sounded beutiful when her engines fired up. Just imagine what it sounded like when 50 0r 60 of these bombers all fired up to go on a mission over the third reich. These men who survived this awfull conflict must be so proud today. Bless them all and RIP to those who never made it home.
My great uncle did 16 missions as a waist gunner on a B-17 before being wounded and sent back to the states. He said it was the scariest but greatest adventure of his life. He stayed close to his buddies from The Swoose. Thank God for every man who risked his life and answered the call for freedom in the darkest days of World War 2.
Thank you sir. The 17 is the best of the best
Amazing! I salute, and thank you Mr Yepes.
I proposed to my wife in front of the Memphis Belle at Air Force Museum in Dayton. It always has been my favorite fortress bomber!
I guess the dislikes are from those who know this is not the actual Memphis Belle. The message is what is important and the preservation of the memories. This is a beautiful plane, and as a real B17, not a mock-up, and as a plane that played a true legend in its part in the 1990's movie, it is still an important piece of history in its own right. It gets a like from me. Hopefully I will one day get to see the Belle at Wright Patterson USAF Museum. Anybody who has the chance, please go to see it, it is important that we never forget this period in history.
One of my favourite movies. Thank you America for your assistance.
I'd like to say these B-17s have a place in my heart and as for the men who flew them back in the day thanks to all. It's nice to see the Memphis flying again good job. Recently I got to visit the nine 0 nine what a machine.
This plane is called "The Movie Memphis Belle" the original is on display in the Air Force museum in Dayton Ohio. This plane tours the country at airshows and is available for rides and bombing runs. (actually no bombs) Beautiful plane! Cheers to the crews both old and new!
These young men were ALL Heroes!
What an accomplishment...1943 25 missions...unbelievable...because thousands of B=17's didn't make it home.....tough stuff......
I got inside this plane when it was on static display at a local air show when I was in my teens, it was a cool experience
Great video! Thanks for sharing.
I just wish Robert Morgan and the boys could be here to see this. Imagine how they would have felt,joy, exhilaration,and sadness for those who didn't come home,far too many,but may they rest in peace,knowing that they won,and we are free because of their sacrifice and love of their country.
@thedisabledwelshman9266
4 жыл бұрын
MORGAN.now there is a good welsh name.
Fantastic viewing!
Thank you sir!
Wow that had to of been a tremendous honor flying that specific plane.
@FiveCentsPlease
4 жыл бұрын
+SDAWG It's not the wartime plane. But historic nonetheless.
Completely AWE inspiring!
I had the honor of flying on her in my late teens/early twenties. It was an amazing experience.
Good to see this beautiful plane restored. It looked very sad about 18 years ago on Mud Island in Memphis.
@Iluvbisquits
5 жыл бұрын
Not the same plane...
@muttley8818
5 жыл бұрын
This isn't the actual Belle. The real one is on display. This one was used in the film Memphis Belle.
What a legend. Always teary when watching this
Major Congratulations to All involved in bringing this plane back to life. Bravo Zulu (look it up)
I remember reading an account of a pilot's death over there. He was killed while still on the ground, when a engine failed and a piston shot out and up through his cockpit window. When it's your time to go, it's your time.
Just to be clear, this is not the original Memphis Belle, it's The Liberty Foundation's B-17 painted to look like it and not very accurately. It was used in the 1990 Movie. The real one is being restored at the USAF museum. I recently got to fly on Texas Raiders B-17 and loved it. This Memphis Belle continues to fly today to honor our veterans, educate current and future generations as to the high price of freedom and to preserve our aviation heritage.
@FantaZ4U
9 жыл бұрын
Ecadman87 I had a chance to go aboard the Real Memphis Belle in Memphis. I am excited about the restoration but hope they take good care of her and don't fly this treasure too much.
@FantaZ4U
8 жыл бұрын
It was an honor to step aboard the original Memphis Belle! She was my 6th B-17 to board.
@12mudhen
6 жыл бұрын
The difference in the font for "The Memphis Bell" will identify which is the real one from the movie version. The original is not in "script" form.
@paulfharris175
5 жыл бұрын
@@FantaZ4U the restored Memphis Belle will never fly again
@FantaZ4U
5 жыл бұрын
@@paulfharris175 I know, and a treasure as she is, no one should ever try. In fact, I was hesitant to board her out of respect. At mud islands display site. She and Her crews, deserve to enjoy a peaceful rest they provided Americans and our allies, Job well done!
thx for the ride! magnificient airplane
I believe you'll find that the 'Original' Memphis Belle has NEVER been restored to 'Flying' condition and is a Static Only exhibit.
This man actually flew the Memphis belle and nobody knows this airplane better than he does.
@kujo79
10 жыл бұрын
He does, but just for accuracy sake, the pilot of the real Memphis Belle was Col. Robert K. Morgan, he published his biography "The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle" in 2001. I highly recommend this book to any Belle and B-17 fans.
@jerryklumpp1271
7 жыл бұрын
I bought the book right after it was published and have read it twice. Great reading. I sent it to Col Morgan and got him to autograph it for me.
@thomasmcgovern8565
5 жыл бұрын
He didn’t he flew the Lucky Linda
B*17 an awesome aircraft for a terrible war.
@maroughgardner4713
6 жыл бұрын
Larry Simpson what other war would it be in
Considering the losses, these pilots had guts, guts, guts!!!
4.02 : just superrr awsome!!! thumps up!
This is not the original Memphis Belle. This is the B-17 used in the movie Memphis Belle. The one flown decades ago, is being restored. Shalom
I love that plane so much :)
This is and now would be the movie version not the actual the real Memphis bell, because that’s on display at one of the smithosomian museums.
I love the B17. Just amazing plane. I hate it how in video games they depict them as one bullet killed, because in reality they were much stronger than that. I heard how back in the war heavy damadged B17 landed in Yugoslavia, the US Army decided to discard it due to the damadge, but when the Yugoslavian ground crew repaired it, the US army just took it back.
thank you guy save the history
So Cool to see the veteran face .
@3:33 the Image is flipped. The 'blue' belle is on the right side of the plane.
@hotrodray9884
5 жыл бұрын
Piggy.... you are correct ... the numbers are all mirrored.
Lovely aircraft.Beautiful to see B17s still flying😎👍❤!
Wonderful guy!!!!!!
Respect!
Sana envidia la mía. En Argentina, a héroes como éste los echamos de lugares como el Colegio Nacional de Bs As. Pobres de nosotros.
There are only a few rare vet's till with us today and they are dying daily. If only nothing like this should be forgotten NOR happen again.
For some reason i want to see Mathew Modine look out of the Cockpit Window on the Pilot Seat. And Billy Zane in front from the Glass Nose.
@costanzaman42
8 жыл бұрын
That was one of my favorite movie as a kid and just watched it again a few weeks ago for the first time in probably a decade. Still good. I'm more partial to the B-24 myself. It flew further and faster and drop heavier payloads and ultimately did much more work than the 17. I'm a bit bias though as my grandpa was a bombardier in the Liberator, 8th Air Force 448th bomb group. Although the B-17 is considered the sexier plane which is why it gets all the hype...
@Lee78072
8 жыл бұрын
costanzaman42 one of my Fav's too. Yeah, the B-17 look "sexier" then the B-24. If i am honest, the B-24 looks like a Flying Brick with wings to me. It was more a Workhorse then a Beauty contest Winner.
@costanzaman42
8 жыл бұрын
Yea they're definitely my two favorite planes of WWII. I built several models of them as a kid, read all the books about them...good times. I always wished Spielberg would do a movie or miniseries about the heavy bombers. He did the ground war a lot of justice with Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers. It'd be nice to see more appreciation for what these guys did and how big a role they played
Love this plane very much!one of my favorite world war 2 bomber plane
Awesome story
Did anybody noticed they said they were going to start #3 engine but then it was #2 that was started. I was suspecting the image was inverted and watched S/N on the tail. It wasn't inverted, until, at 3:42, it suddenly inverted. I looked again and the "D" was also inverted.
@hotrodray9884
5 жыл бұрын
Wrong. It was flipped, look at the DF A and tail numbers.
The hours of flying time bordem followed by moments of terror as Japanese zeros, ack fire and metzsrshmidts
Salute Sir. 😢
Conmovedor este vuelo
A mother beautiful airplane.........
Awesome to a airmen returning to the sky!
The magnificent B Seventeen Bomber
their so calm
who's watching in 2019
Ok guys! Maybe someone can answer me here! Why in the movie Memphis Belle, the Belle had two red Pin Up, one on each side and when I saw the actual plane, in real life, at Québec's Internationnal Airport air show back in 1999, it had a blue pin up and a red one?
it's soo Nice see this!
Now come here to my home town and see the real Memphis Belle. She opens to the public May 17th, 2018.
Not forgetting all those that perished so we today can live on.
4 dislikes... who hell are these people!
@renelook7432
8 жыл бұрын
+flip inheck nope . guys who mean that's the download Button :D greets from Germany ;)
@nanajodi201
7 жыл бұрын
Well they certainly aren't history buffs!
@dacosta0656
6 жыл бұрын
Brian F Nazi symps
@kalel21675
5 жыл бұрын
Brian F nazi war criminals
@Truckergregg
4 жыл бұрын
Brian F really old Germans
Say why am I crying?
Big, noisy, and ALL AMERICAN. Glad these planes are still around.
Respect
R.I.P all fighters in WW2
It was on loan to the Liberty Foundation as now they have another B-17 on loan from the Erickson Aircraft Collection Ye Olde Pub was formally Madras Maiden before that Chuckie. as that B-17 changed hands first off the vintage flying museum then Virginia when the ball turret and chin turret was added when painted to Ye Olde Pub the chin turret was removed. as thats the plane Liberty foundation has now. their Liberty Belle B-17 is currently being rebuilt with a fusealage from another B-17 that and the B-17 that was recovered from a lake in Labrador. as both are being restored for display now in Douglas Georgia.
Already in permanent display to preserve it
the real Memphis Belle is at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton Ohio. The aircraft isn't no where near complete in it restoration to be able to fly. It's more than likely won't fly again because it's now a museum peace.
@jimhiggins5307
7 жыл бұрын
thats what I thought,,and was told. Years ago the "Belle's restoration started at a Naval Facility outside of Memphis. They said then it was too valuable to EVER fly again. Then the Govt. reposted it from these folks and sent it to be restored and transported to the Smithsonian ,,by ground. NEVER to fly again....Nice story though but a "stunt double " A/C
Set, they were set before and...still set.
Don’t you just love these ads? No.
Great Video m8 ;)
Awesome!!!! :-)
my revell building kit brought me here
When you think that on the raids over Schweinfurt's ball-bearing plants in 1943, SIXTY B-17s were lost!!!
Nosso respeito ao Sr. Yepes, e agradecimento por ter nos legado um mundo livre do nazismo. From: Manaus-Amazonas- Brasil