World War II bombers on display bring back memories for visitors
By HEATHER VOGELL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/07/05
When Lt. Col. Hap Chandler first climbed into the belly of a B-24 Liberator, he thought the bomber enormous — a real marvel — and counted himself lucky to fly in it.
He guided World War II bombers to their targets on 35 harrowing missions into Germany, returning in planes riddled with bullets but intact. When the war ended, he felt lucky to be alive.
On Sunday, the 84-year-old Sandy Springs resident used the handrail to mount the Liberator's steps once more at Fulton County Airport's Brown Field, pulling himself slowly into a space that now seemed impossibly cramped. But he passed on a ride.
"I've done it," he said. "Delta's my cup of tea now."
About 400 other visitors flocked to the airport this weekend to see the Liberator and its more iconic companion, the B-17 Flying Fortress.
The hulking propeller planes came to rest near the terminal as if they'd zoomed through a time warp.
They are flying museums of sorts that tour the country. The B-24 is the only plane of its kind to return to the skies after being restored, according to the Collings Foundation of Massachusetts. The nonprofit maintains both bombers.
This weekend, the foundation collected $400 from more than 50 visitors who bought half-hour rides in either the Liberator or the Flying Fortress, said Jim Harley, ride coordinator.
Some were veterans eager to teach children and grandchildren what wartime service looked and felt like.
But other veterans have had a more complex reaction to the sight of the planes. Over the years, it's overwhelmed a few, Harley said.
"They'll say, 'You know what, I've seen them enough.' They'll turn around and walk away," he said "It's pretty emotional."
Chandler grew up in Toccoa, about 100 miles northeast of Atlanta, and enlisted in the Air Force while a sophomore at Wheaton College in Illinois.
He became a lead navigator based outside London who flew missions in B-24s.
"It was the seminal experience of my life," he said
For about seven months beginning in September 1944, he flew into Germany to bomb targets that included factories, rail yards and oil refineries.
The plane cruised at about 22,000 feet in temperatures that he said dipped to 50 below zero. The crew wore heated suits to survive.
Chandler donned a mask that delivered oxygen with a slightly acrid smell. Sometimes, it would freeze to his face and he'd have to wait for the ice to melt after landing.
"I'd look at the temperature gauge, and I'd say, 'This is a terrible place for a Georgia boy,' " he said. "I remember very vividly every one of those 35 missions."
On Sunday, he recalled crawling from the flight deck down to where the bombardier sat in the nose of the plane below the pilot. Chandler would use a compass, maps and landmarks on the ground to help the man who released the bombs hit his mark.
After the war ended, he became a businessman but soon returned to the Air Force. He trained to become a bombardier himself — a step up from navigator — and flew more missions in the Korean War, during which he earned a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Now Chandler, who works with the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Savannah, wants his grandsons to learn about history he helped make.
He's glad to see the B-24 still flying. He never thought he'd set foot in one again after the war. But about a decade ago, a show gave him a chance to fly the B-24 over friendly territory — the Oregon coast.
He's ridden again since. But he said he doesn't feel compelled to return to the skies each time the Liberator visits.
Seeing the plane is enough.
"I close my eyes, and I'm 60 years younger," he said.
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I live on the Flight Path to Fulton County Airport, and two days ago, I saw a B-17 and B-24 take off ... I was Thrilled !!! Usually it is just Cessnas and small bizjets that I see flying by ... I found out that they were going to be at the airport yesterday and grabbed my camera on the way home from work and dropped by the airport . . . I got there just as they had closed the ramp to get the two old birds ready for departure ... several people had paid $400 each for a 30 minute demonstration flight. It takes $3000 an hour to keep the war planes in the air . . . I took so many pictures, I lost count and many of them I reduced to the next to the lowest setting on my Kodak 4.0 MP camera to hopefully share with you , here, but ... I am not sure what I am doing wrong, as they were still too big to post ... How mraven13 and his g/f can get to be a giant picture, and I can't post evades me . . . But anyway ... to see these two planes start their engines and come to life was a thrill beyond measure. To hear them gurgle and cough and sputter to life was so incredibly cool, I got goosebumps just watching them start up ... in Junoir High Scholl, I read everything I could get my hands on about the air war over Europe and used to dream of these magnificent machines . . . I have some cool pictures in email if anyone wants to see them ...
