B-24 nicks....

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go easy
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B-24 nicks.... - 07/04/2008 06:15:23 PM
Hello friends,  over the years, and talking with some WWII vets, here in kansas...a few of the nick-names they have for the B-24 bomber, you might get a chuckle out of... " flying boxcar"..."buzzin two dozen"..."furniture moving van"..."four-engine rhino"..."flying coffin"..."ronson lighter"..."twin-tail ticket to the Rhineland"....and "the box the B-17 came in"....I'm sure there is many more!.. Have a great 4th!!!!
jpeters140
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RE: B-24 nicks.... - 07/05/2008 05:57:10 AM
Ernie,  I think you are treading on dangerous grounds...<g>....and I think those comments came from previous gunners....I don't think that a pilot would make such a remark.
 
Jim :-)
James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt
B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions
99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF
Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy
My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45
M/Sgt USAF (Retired)
rhdodd
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RE: B-24 nicks.... - 07/05/2008 07:01:59 AM
This ex pilot remembers " 4 emgine whore" most of us loved her.
RHD
go easy
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RE: B-24 nicks.... - 07/05/2008 08:44:09 AM
Jim, you are 100% correct...not only are they gunners, but B-17 gunners... that worked at Boeing, after the war, just one of those things, that make you, go hmmmm???  Have a great day!!  Ernie
Terry T.
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RE: B-24 nicks.... - 07/05/2008 02:47:39 PM
Ernie:
The Germans nickname for the B-17 was "The Flying Coffin"
 
Terry T.
WillowRun
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RE: B-24 nicks.... - 07/05/2008 09:46:46 PM
Ernie,   A local nickname among FO WR folks for the Lib was Ford's folly which also was the nose art of a B-24H-1-FO, 42-7466, a picture of which I have attached.  It sort of goes along with the nickname of Willow Run given to it by the media while the plant struggled to reach its intended production goals, "Willit Run."  Still love her though!   Best Regards!  Steven

[image]local://11777/9CF9C0F489A64A0D91BE6F7FD833197A.jpg[/image]
Attached Image(s)
Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum
buckeyeuk
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RE: B-24 nicks.... - 07/06/2008 06:55:12 AM
A popular nickname among RAF groundcrews in the Far East where many squadrons flew them was "The Electrician's Nightmare" due to the B-24s complicated ( by British standards ) electrical systems.
An electrician noted that his men had a ten-minute tour of the wiring before being let loose--what they call "learning on the job ". But changing parts was simpler compared to British aircraft.           Nick
LUCKY PARTNERS
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RE: B-24 nicks.... - 07/15/2008 09:41:42 PM
Nick,
 
This is WAY off topic, but your comment regarding British standards for electrical systems made me smile.  It reminds me of a one liner that a friend shared with me quite a few years ago.  He was an ardent lover of British sports cars but was quite realistic about their idiosyncrasies.
 
"Why don't the British make computers? .....
        ..... because they haven't figured out a way to make them leak oil!"
 
I realize the risk of telling a joke in these hopelessly PC days we live in but I hope it brings you a smile.  My apologies to the forum for this temporary lapse in subject matter.
 
Hal