Vetrans Day, Air Force Salute

Special Vetrans day Salute to the US Air Force.

During WWII the Air Force lost more troops

than the Marines did, which in no way takes

anything away from the Marines valiant actions.

There is no question about Marines commitment

to any war effort.

After PEARL HARBOR THE 8TH AIR FORCE

was inaugurated with 7 men and no air planes.

A year later they engaged the German Luftwaffe.

They went on to defeat the German Luftwaffe.

The Air Force had to neutralize the Luftwaffe

before D-Day. 

They had over a thousand Aces at one point.

A vast effort the out come was not certain.

Short on experienced pilots and tested

war planes.

July 1943 they launched the first massive

bombing attack on Germany, a week long

effort. They bombed by day.

Britain bombed by night.

The Flying Fortress B-17 was the backbone

of the war effort.

Performance:
Maximum Speed at 25,000 ft: 287 mph
Temp -50 degrees ( bare skin freezes to metal )


Cruising Speed: 182 mph
Ceiling: 35,800 ft.
Range: 2,000 miles with 6,000 lb. bomb load
Armament:
13 12.7-mm (0.5-inch) machine guns
Up to 17,600 pounds of bombs

Number Built: 12, 800+

Number Still Airworthy: 13

At times they were running 40% casualties.

75% of the crews failed to complete 25 missions.

No air wing ever turned back or refused a Mission.

Quite a record. Salute.

My Fathers Vertans day Tribute.

Gerald

Vetran