Photos © Ruud Leeuw
Photos © Ruud Leeuw
While driving south on Highway 99, near Tulare, I noticed this B-17 on the other side of the freeway, just in time to get the exit and cross to the other side.Here at Mefford Field is a memorial dedicated to the American Veterans of World War II from Tulare County. There are two planes, a B-17 and an F-4 (F-4s in WW2? Oh well, it is the thought that counts!). |
 Tex Rankin was president of the Hollywood Motion Picture Pilots Association in December 1940 when he signed a War Department contract to open a school to train U.S. Army pilots. First flights began the following February at Mefford Field, on the outskirts of Tulare. [Source: Wikipedia] |
 This B-17 Flying Fortress "Preston's Pride" is a gift from the USAF to Amvets Post No. 56, as a memorial to all men and women of Tulare who served their country in World War II. It is also a tribute to Major General M. Preston, Operations Chief U.S.A.F. retired, who flew the plane to Tulare on 05Aug1958. |
 In May 2003, a truck hit this B-17 and damaged a propeller, engine nacelle, and the left wing tip... This B-17G Flying Fortress is on loan to the AMVETS by the USAF Museum and has been displayed along the highway since 1958 and was hit several times by errant vehicles  Now you know why they built that fence around it! Source: www.aerovintage.com/b17news3.htm |
 The tribute is to the men of 379 Bomb Group (Heavy), the only unit ever awarded 8th A/F "Grand Slam Award": best bombing, greatest tonnage delivered, lowest losses and abort rate... |
 B-17G "Preston's Pride" 44-85738 at the Amvets Memorial at Mefford Field, California. |
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