A Great Loss !!

On 12-November-2022, at a Dallas, Texas annual airshow, there was a terrible crash during one of the low-altitude fly-overs of the air field, right in front of thousands of visitors.  

An official cause has not yet been determined, but the videos of the event show a vintage P-63 fighter aircraft, flying faster than the B-17 Bomber, fly right into the rear of the B-17's left wing.  

As the propeller of the P-63 struck the wing of the B-17, which also has 2 propeller engines, both aircraft violently disintegrated, crashing onto the airfield.  Fortunately, none of the spectators were injured, but the 6 people flying the 2 aircraft were all killed.

This particular B-17, known as "Texas Raiders" is operated by the Commemorative Air Force and participated in air shows around the country,  including the annual Wings over Houston show.  

I had the privilege of photographing this beautiful aircraft more than once, resulting in one of my favorites photos ever (this one):

This bomber was built during World War II and was sent to the European Theater, but before it could fly it's first mission, hostilities ceased, so it never flew in actual combat. 

I never met the aircrews, I only saw the plane, so I don't mean not to mourn the loss of the people, but I can't help but mourn the loss of this wonderful aircraft.

See y'all round,

- Mark