Hot Stuff
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BlackSheep214
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Re: Hot Stuff
Interesting article. Had it not crashed, Hot Stuff would have the most famous bomber of WW2.
Those Liberator bombers were often shot up to hell easily than the B-17 Flying Fortress.
Those Liberator bombers were often shot up to hell easily than the B-17 Flying Fortress.
“Who controls the skies, controls the fate of this Earth”
Author unknown- 352nd Fighter Group, Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney
“Send one plane it’s a sortie; send two planes it’s a flight; send four planes it’s a test of airpower. - Richard Kohn
Author unknown- 352nd Fighter Group, Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney
“Send one plane it’s a sortie; send two planes it’s a flight; send four planes it’s a test of airpower. - Richard Kohn
Re: Hot Stuff
Suzie-Q (Pacific), Hot Stuff and Hell's Angel all completed 25 missions before Memphis Belle - not to take anything away from the Belle, but curious how the others didn't get their share of fame, at least to the extent the Belle did. 
Thanks,
John
John
Re: Hot Stuff
They were more fragile than you would expect. GLASS fuel lines (I believe) were mounted on the cockpit bulkheads… would not take much.BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:08 am Interesting article. Had it not crashed, Hot Stuff would have the most famous bomber of WW2.
Those Liberator bombers were often shot up to hell easily than the B-17 Flying Fortress.
To make each build less crappy than the last one. Or, put another way, "Better than the last one, not as good as the next one!"..
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Stikpusher
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Re: Hot Stuff
Like almost all the bombers of WWII, Hot Stuff was forgotten due to fate. Most today that are known are mostly thru aircraft buffs, aviation historians, or modelers.
My guess as to why the Belle became most famous and not the others was due to the wartime documentary, as well as the Bell's post combat bond tour. The film's producer had cameramen riding in multiple bombers that were nearing the end of their 25 mission combat tours just to hedge their bets due to the odds of losing one or more before completing 25 missions. IIRC at least one or two cameramen went down aboard their assigned bombers while making the documentary. Lastly, I think that a contributing factor for the Belle being selected to do the Bond tour instead of Hell's Angel could perhaps be the name of the aircraft as well. "Memphis Belle" sounds more family friendly and thinking of home for the mainstream public compared to Hell's Angel. Just look at the movies of that era to hear what was acceptable as mainstream language.
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."
FLSM
FLSM