HOME | DD

Description
- September 2022, Centennial Airport (KAPA) -

There are a lot of complicated feelings wrapped up in these photos, hence why it took so long to post them. I am incredibly fortunate to have so many fond memories of the B-17 Texas Raiders. Alas, these photos were taken within two months of the aircraft's demise. Having met the crew in 2021 and 2022, including a few formal work dinners (and informal after work drinks), it was a tragic loss. I want to recognize the good work of the Gulf Coast Wing, respect the lives lost, and honor the aircraft which will be sorely missed.

There was a fancy event at our hangar, coincidentally while Texas Raiders was visiting. Whichever company was hired for the lighting did a stellar job. The careful placement of luminescence on the B-17 was beautiful.

I am delighted to say that I spent my evening ignoring the event's speakers, opting to venture into the aircraft instead. Since all my colleagues went back inside (like they were supposed to), I disappeared into the fuselage on my lonesome. The Gulf Coast Wing stayed late for the event and had strung their own lights through the interior of the aircraft. I ran into Dan near the waist guns. He'd served aboard the aircraft in the Navy in the 1950s and had found his way back through the Gulf Coast Wing. Sadly, Dan was among the men lost with the aircraft. I'm happy to have met him.

Description
- September 2022, Centennial Airport (KAPA) -

There are a lot of complicated feelings wrapped up in these photos, hence why it took so long to post them. I am incredibly fortunate to have so many fond memories of the B-17 Texas Raiders. Alas, these photos were taken within two months of the aircraft's demise. Having met the crew in 2021 and 2022, including a few formal work dinners (and informal after work drinks), it was a tragic loss. I want to recognize the good work of the Gulf Coast Wing, respect the lives lost, and honor the aircraft which will be sorely missed.

There was a fancy event at our hangar, coincidentally while Texas Raiders was visiting. Whichever company was hired for the lighting did a stellar job. The careful placement of luminescence on the B-17 was beautiful.

I am delighted to say that I spent my evening ignoring the event's speakers, opting to venture into the aircraft instead. Since all my colleagues went back inside (like they were supposed to), I disappeared into the fuselage on my lonesome. The Gulf Coast Wing stayed late for the event and had strung their own lights through the interior of the aircraft. I ran into Dan near the waist guns. He'd served aboard the aircraft in the Navy in the 1950s and had found his way back through the Gulf Coast Wing. Sadly, Dan was among the men lost with the aircraft. I'm happy to have met him.