Published: July 23, 2008 11:03 am      

WW II vets fly again in B-17

ELKHART, Ind. — Several World War II veterans gathered in Elkhart Monday to reconnect with a piece of their military history.

The B-17 Flying Fortress known as Aluminum Overcast remains at the Elkhart Municipal Airport today and Wednesday as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s veteran tribute tour.

While the veterans sat and waited patiently for the plane’s crew to arrive, many of them shared awards, manuals, letters and photographs from their time in the service, much of it relating to the B-17.

Bob Henderson, Edwardsburg, Mich., proudly displayed a certificate he received for completing 30 missions unharmed and generally making things difficult for the Fuhrer.

Henderson, 84, was a belly gunner on one of the planes.

“You couldn’t get out, but it was safer,” he said. “And you had to have your parachute strapped to your waist.”

The event was the first time Henderson had been on board a B-17 since his last mission during the fall of 1944. He served three years and achieved the rank of staff sergeant.

“You get up there and it seems like you rule the earth. Everything’s below you,” he said of his experiences on the plane.

Veterans Robert Wright, 87, and Tom Murphy, 87, both of South Bend, came with fellow poker club member Brad Benson of rural Cass County, Mich., to see the aircraft and enjoy a flight.

“There’s an airshow in Fort Charlotte that I go to every year. I once got my photo taken with the Memphis Belle and her pilot a few months before he died,” Wright said. “I love the flying and I love to see the old planes. It brings back a lot of memories.”

Wright flew more than 1,000 hours in a B-17, completing 35 combat missions over Germany during his service and achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel.

“They couldn’t kill me, I’m still here,” he said.

Murphy served as a flight engineer and crew chief, completing maintenance, pre-flight checks and other mechanical work on B-17s and several other models, including the B-24. He achieved the rank of corporal.

Wright, Murphy and Benson are members of the “FOR Club,” a poker club that originated in 1934.

“Our typical guests either have a family member who once flew in one or are airplane enthusiasts. It’s hard to find someone who isn’t touched by the B-17. There are a lot of happy and tearful reunions,” Neil Morrison said.

Morrison, Port Townsend, Wash., is one of Aluminum Overcast’s pilots.

“It’s great for people to be able to come out and see what’s normally in a museum. This way they can hear the props starting up, feel the rumbling of the engine,” he said. “And it’s a joy to fly.”

He made special note of the enthusiasm and accomplishments of veterans who manned the plane during the war.

“You can read all the books you want, but talking to the guys who did it, you get a real appreciation,” he said.

EAA Chapter 132 member Bill Van Patten Jr. helped to organize the event.

“People started calling almost immediately after we started advertising, especially veterans,” he said. “One guy called and booked a whole flight — 10 seats — at about $400 a pop.”