Risky Low Pass by B-17 Flying Fortress

The B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most beloved bombers of World War II, both by pilots and historical aviation enthusiasts. This is why this short clip is so amazing. It’s 30 seconds of our favorite bird performing several extremely low flybys. You really can’t get enough of it! This footage is spliced together from the 1962 movie The War Lover and captures the best parts featuring the B-17.  Starring Steve McQueen as Captain Buzz Rickson, the movie is loosely based on a 1959 novel by John Hersey of the same name.

Without spoiling the movie, The War Lover is a story about a very capable pilot who breaks the rules to get the job done. A skilled leader, he and his co-pilot are trying to accomplish their 25 missions in order to rotate back home