Picture of a real B-17 (with crew)

[b17sam]

For your late evening entertainment, visit this old beat up bucket of bolts. The flak-eyed guy kneeling lower right is me. Of course I am more pretty today.
http://www.b17sam.com/ourcrew.html

[bdk]

What is the significance of the name "Mah Ideel"?

[ZeamerB17]

It's apparently a "Li'l Abner" reference:

Fosdick was a strip-within-a-strip that was an intricate part of Li'l Abner for decades. Fearless Fosdick was initially just a parody of Chester Gould's popular Dick Tracy comic strip. But the character became so popular that Al Capp periodically inserted him into the ongoing adventures. He had to--- the only thing the "real" character Li'l Abner ever read was the "comical strip" character Fearless Fosdick, whom Abner referred to reverentially as "mah ideel!"

Dave

Didn't Bert Stiles fly on that A/C?

[Jerry O'Neill]

For your late evening entertainment, visit this old beat up bucket of bolts. The flak-eyed guy kneeling lower right is me. Of course I am more pretty today.
http://www.b17sam.com/ourcrew.html

Welcome aboard!
It's great to have WIX members participating who are members of the "Greatest Generation". It's nice to have some more "gravitas".
Please feel free to share some of our experiences with us.
Jerry

[b17sam]

It's apparently a "Li'l Abner" reference:

Fosdick was a strip-within-a-strip that was an intricate part of Li'l Abner for decades. Fearless Fosdick was initially just a parody of Chester Gould's popular Dick Tracy comic strip. But the character became so popular that Al Capp periodically inserted him into the ongoing adventures. He had to--- the only thing the "real" character Li'l Abner ever read was the "comical strip" character Fearless Fosdick, whom Abner referred to reverentially as "mah ideel!"

Dave

Didn't Bert Stiles fly on that A/C?

Also, Fearless Fosdick was a B17 in our squadron. I recall our crew flew a few missions in that old crate.

[Second Air Force]

Sam,

Welcome to this little madhouse, and thanks for your service!

I've always gotten a charge out of aircrew referring to "old crates" in their Squadrons--I have a friend from the 331st B.G. that complained about being assigned to a B-29 with "over 250 hours on it!"

Scott

[Jack Cook]

The co-pliot of this bird at one time was Bert Stiles author of "Serinade to the Big Bird" and who was later KIA with the 339th FG flying a P-51D.

[sdennison]

Just so you guys don't miss it, click on the "return to homepage" link from the picture.

A chance to share some of Sam's past and preserve more of our history through our learning.

Thank you Sam!

[Former Member]

Welcome aboard Sam ...it's great to see a real B-17 vet on this site!

John

[bomberflight]

Welcome to the forum Sam and thanks for taking the time to post

[Hal B]

Sam,
Thanks for the service! And welcome to the board.

[muddyboots]

what's woth the MG's in the nose turret? Seem a little short, or missing

[b17sam]

what's woth the MG's in the nose turret? Seem a little short, or missing

It appears that the turret has rotated to the point that they are not visible, except for the end of one gun.

[Django]

Very cool! Welcome aboard. I look forward to reading about your experiences!!