Brief Description: Visited site of B-17 Liberty Belle fire
The B-17 "Liberty Belle" had its # 2 engine nacelle catch fire at the trailing edge inflight today. The crew performed an emergency off airport landing in a corn field and all seven aboard were uninjured. Unfortunately, the fire departments couldn't get equipment close to it due to its remote location and wet conditions in the fields. It was consumed by fire and a total loss except for maybe the engines and portions of the empannage. This was one of only fifteen B-17's left flying in the world. Now there are 14.
This B-17 and a P-40 have been at the Aurora airport (KARR) since Thursday and I have seen the bomber everyday when driving to and from work. I stopped Friday night and looked at her from a distance, thinking I would get a closer look when I came back over the weekend, but other things came up and I didn't go back. I passed the airport about 7:00 am today and a mere three hours later it was completely destroyed. What a shame, but at least the crew was uninjured.
After work tonight, I drove past the site off Minkler and Rt 71 in Oswego and took the following pictures. I couldn't get very close, several hundred yards but it was a sad site to see. I pulled image 2 off of the internet and it was said to be taken by a crew member shortly after they landed and evacuated.
