[Milsurplus] Fwd: Re: "Lancaster" - no copilot

[Bruce Gentry]

I was introduced to the recording of  "The Flying Fortress" and several 
other Air Force songs by Oscar brand in the summer of 1968- they can be 
heard now on YouTube.  I was learning to fly, and loved the songs. I had 
one more year of high school to go, and quickly taught the songs to 
friends. We would belt them out in gym class or the locker rooms. The 
lyric on the record was the somewhat milder "frig"   but it raised some 
eyebrows.  I think most fuddie duddies overlooked it because we were 
singing a miltary song that encouraged comeraderie, like most barracks 
ballads, at a time when almost all the songs were against the current 
war. We would also put our own names in place of the crew positions in 
the song.   Lots of wonderful memories.

        Bruce Gentry, KA2IVY

On 10/4/17 5:33 PM, Michael Hanz wrote:
> On 10/4/2017 4:15 PM, Mark K3MSB wrote:
>> To say that your "poem" accurately represented how aircrews felt 
>> about the B-17 would put the burden of proof squarely upon your 
>> shoulders against the overwhelming testimony of history to the contrary.
>
> I didn't see that conclusion anywhere in Joe's posting, Mark.  The 
> "testimony of history" and barroom songs are rarely congruent for good 
> and sufficient reason.  The B-17, any variant, like any weapon wasn't 
> perfect by a long shot, and most military servicemen seemed to like to 
> compose limericks or songs about their weapons that are considerably 
> less than complimentary at times.  It helps you smile at something in 
> the midst of the brutality and tragedy of combat.  The war in Viet Nam 
> was full of them.  Now - hearing someone from _outside_ the "band of 
> brothers" (whatever that limited group might be) verbally malign their 
> weapons will bring about a sturdy defense - especially with a bit of 
> alcoholic lubrication - but the majority of servicemen understand the 
> tradition and take it in good fun.  At least I always did.
>
>          73,
>  - Mike  KC4TOS
>
>
>
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