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Wreck of the Old 97 (USAF) 
Wreck of the Old 97 (USAF) 
There were 97 airplanes warming up on the apron Not enough room you could see Now the first ninety-six were of recent construction But the last one was a Fifty-one D. 
She was old 97 and she had a fine record But she hadn't been flown that year And she creaked and groaned when they started her engine For she knew that her time was near. 
A Seeond Lieutenant wandered into Operations And he asked for a ship or two And they said, "Young man, we are very short of airplanes But we'll see what we can do. 
"Now the first forty-seven are reserved for majors And the Captains have the next forty-nine But there's one more ship on the end of the apron The last ship upon the line." 
He was headed for Nadzab and from there to Guzab And he had to make that flight So he said, "O.K., if you'll give me a clearance I will get there sometime tonight." 
He flew through rain and he flew through a snowstorm Tlll the light began to fail When he found a railroad going his direction And he said' "I'll get there by rail." 
He flew down a valley and he dodged through the mountains And he kept that road in sight Till the rails disappeared through a tunnel in the mountains And he ended his last long flight. 
There was old 97 with her nose in the mountain And her wheels upon the track And her throttle was bent in the forward position But the engine was facing back. 
Now ladies please listen and head my warning 
From this time ever on, Never speak harsh words to your flyboy husband, He may leave you and never return. 
From There I Was, Flat on my Back, Bob Stevens.