A flight in a B17 or B25

[p38arover]

Today I did the tour of the Boeing factory in Seattle. Well worth doing! After that we went to the Historic Flight museum Historic Flight (http://historicflight.org/hf/) - but they were closed Mondays (maybe we can go tomorrow).

We then went to Paul Allen's (co-founder of Microsoft) Flying Heritage Collection Home : The Flying Heritage Collection (http://www.flyingheritage.com/) museum. Just before we arrived, a B17 Flying Fortress landed and parked near the collection. Whilst we were there, a B25 Mitchell did a flypast then landed and taxied up beside the B17. Both belong to the Commemorative (nee Confederate) Air Force from Arizona.

I rang my wife back in Sydney and told here one could have a flight in either for around US$425. She said "Do it! Do it!"

So tomorrow I'm hopefully goiing for a ride in one of them. Which one would you choose?

I'm thinking the B25 as I built a twin-engined control line flying model of one back in 1964 (and for which I won a trophy donated by well known Brisbane hobby shop owner, Arthur Gorrie).

[Bigbjorn]

There is a small airport between Bakersfield and Visalia that had a B17, an F4U Corsair, and an F4 Phantom parked on the ramp. A bit further up the valley is another small airport which had two Hercules freshly painted in a white with orange flash and saddle paint, and another in that cacky green primer used on aircraft.

[Hymie]

Go the B17 mate.

[jsp]

Ron boy do I envy you!

and that sum of money is cheap for such a privilege!!

I would go the B17.

Pics pics pics and while your at it, MORE pics!

[Grumbles]

As many as you can stretch your budget to. How often do you get that sort of opportunity?

[JDNSW]

I'd jump at either if I had the money and opportunity.

The B-25 was a successful medium bomber, that was introduced at the beginning of the US involvement in the war (first flight 8/1940), and was famous for the Doolittle raid not long after that.

The B-17 is a significantly earlier design, (first flight 1935), but soldiered on throughout the war despite being quite outdated, even by 1939 - the Liberator was far better, as were several British aircraft, but the B-17 proved to be capable of extensive development and was produced in large numbers, and was popular with crews because of its ability to get home despite extensive damage.

John

[mudmouse]

Oh wow Ron, good for you!!!!!

We're planning to go to the US next year and I want to go to Planes of Fame at Chino CA and Davis Monthan AFB (boneyard) in Tucson AZ...

Anyway, I'd go for the B-25 - either way you'll come back smiling :D

Have fun mate.

Matt.

[p38arover]

Elisabeth just told me to fly both!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/653.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/654.jpg

[101RRS]

Go the B17 mate.

I agree - definitely the B17.

[ericpicc]

I would go the B17, but if the boss says to you "fly both", then don't disappoint her ;) would I love to be in your shoes right now, do me a favour next time tell me and I'll tag along in your suitcase I'm only little I'll fit.:D

[mudmouse]

Well Ron, SWMBO must be obeyed!

Go Elisabeth!



Matt.

[JDNSW]

Elisabeth just told me to fly both!

Well that solves that, doesn't it! And remember the rules!

John

[Hymie]

Well that solves that, doesn't it! And remember the rules!

John


I'm with John, Pics mate.

[drivesafe]

Hi you lucky basted.

While the Fortress has the historical value, the Mitchell would be more fun in my opinion.

Go the B25.

[strangy]

If you only had one choice I would go the B17. Simply because 4 big radials is an awsome sound and the tingling of the senses will be unforgettable.

Apart from that I demand pics with at least some sound!

Ride of a lifetime.:TakeABow:
Green.........pft........ you dont know what real envy is.....

Hang on a minute... your missus says fly both!!!!....didnt she tell you tell you to get an L322 also???? whats going on........what secret arent you sharing!!

enjoy

[p38arover]

Apart from that I demand pics with at least some sound!

My camera doesn't do movies or sound.

The owner is a lousy photograher.

Ahh, there is a story about the planes just about to be on morning TV. Best I watch to get some details about flights.


Hang on a minute... your missus says fly both!!!!....didnt she tell you tell you to get an L322 also???? whats going on........what secret arent you sharing!!

She loves me! (Someone has to.)

[3toes]

Oh wow Ron, good for you!!!!!

We're planning to go to the US next year and I want to go to Planes of Fame at Chino CA and Davis Monthan AFB (boneyard) in Tucson AZ...

Anyway, I'd go for the B-25 - either way you'll come back smiling :D

Have fun mate.

Matt.

I suppose you have already checked this out however book the visit to Davis Monthan AFB as soon as you can these book up quick.

Also there used to be a special photo trip once a month.

There are two museums one is Davis Monthan the other is across the road.

NOTE: Care needs to be taken as the above info is 15 years out of date

This was a highlight of a week in Arizona.

Please don't take this the wrong way. Just that someone I know went over and did not know. Thought could just front up. Big dissapointment followed.

[Bigbjorn]

I suppose you have already checked this out however book the visit to Davis Monthan AFB as soon as you can these book up quick.

Also there used to be a special photo trip once a month.

There are two museums one is Davis Monthan the other is across the road.

NOTE: Care needs to be taken as the above info is 15 years out of date

This was a highlight of a week in Arizona.

Please don't take this the wrong way. Just that someone I know went over and did not know. Thought could just front up. Big dissapointment followed.

Go to the National Museum of the USAF at Wright-Patterson base in Dayton, Ohio. I spent most of four days there to see it all. Everything from balloons to to the SR71 and the XB70. There is a Packard Museum in downtown Dayton in historic Packard dealership buildings and has some very special cars. Not far away in Urbana is Gaslight Auto Parts, early Ford specialists. Bob McConnell, the owner, has enough restored race cars to run his own Indy 500. Gerstners, www.gerstnerusa.com, makers of traditional timber tool and display chests are in downtown Dayton and well worth a visit. They welcome walk-ins.

[p38arover]

Can you guess where I was sitting?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/777.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/778.jpg

I was unable to get a B25 flight as there aren't enough people who want one - so they have kept my number to call me if they get some more bookings before next weekend. So they gave me the bombardier's seat.

[jsp]

you are one lucky guy! :)

[rick130]

I know you're not one for coarse language Ron but fan-bloody-tastic ! :D

[strangy]

Wow Ron, very happy for you. what an exerience.:arms:

I would end up with my imagination running away every so often. Wondering what sights and terrors had been viewed in that spot.


cheers

[VladTepes]

You lucky (swear filter intervened). i'd (swear filter intervened) well love to do that.
I kinda like aeroplanes, y'know.

Good on ya Ron.

[fraser130]

Elisabeth just told me to fly both!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/653.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/654.jpg

Problem solved Ron!
:D

Lucky, lucky bugger!!!!

Cheers Ron,

Fraser

[tailslide]

Way to go Ron. I flew in a B17 at Oshkosh last year, what a blast. I also went up in a Ford Tri-motor, Bell helicopter, and a Vans RV-7.

Cheers
Ron

[Sleepy]

What a view. Worth every penny. Lucky bugger.:D

[p38arover]

I had a call from the WW2 aircraft group and am booked for a flight on the B25 bomber on Saturday at noon.

Arizona Wing of the CAF - B-17 Promo Video (http://www.azcaf.org/images/banner_flash/B25Promo/B25Promo.html)

This is the plane where I rode in the nose on Monday:

Arizona Wing of the CAF - B-17 Promo Video (http://www.azcaf.org/images/banner_flash/B17Promo/B17Promo.html)

And next week, Elisabeth has booked a Bell Jet Ranger flight over San Fran for me for Father's Day. I love helicopters. I've only had one previous flight in a Jet Ranger but have previously flown in a Bell 47G (think MASH), several Robinsons, and an Australian Army Blackhawk (as a civilian - I've never been in the services).

[JDNSW]

I had a call from the WW2 aircraft group and am booked for a flight on the B25 bomber on Saturday at noon.

Arizona Wing of the CAF - B-17 Promo Video (http://www.azcaf.org/images/banner_flash/B25Promo/B25Promo.html)

This is the plane where I rode in the nose on Monday:

Arizona Wing of the CAF - B-17 Promo Video (http://www.azcaf.org/images/banner_flash/B17Promo/B17Promo.html)

And next week, Elisabeth has booked a Bell Jet Ranger flight over San Fran for me for Father's Day. I love helicopters. I've only had one previous flight in a Jet Ranger but have previously flown in a Bell 47G (think MASH), several Robinsons, and an Australian Army Blackhawk (as a civilian - I've never been in the services).

Sounds like you are having a great time. I have done a lot of travel in helicopters, mostly in Jetrangers, mostly in PNG and Burma.

John

[p38arover]

Sounds like you are having a great time. I have done a lot of travel in helicopters, mostly in Jetrangers, mostly in PNG and Burma.

Do you like 'em, John? A few fixed wing pilots I know don't trust 1001 parts flying in close formation.

[87County]

Great opportunities Ron - well done - managed to get into 1st class as well

here is a longer clip of both aircraft 9n HD) - background music from HBO's "John Adams" - modern classical I guess

H5 - WWII Bombers over Arizona Landscape on Vimeo

[easo]

Elisabeth just told me to fly both!



Mate, when she is right she's right!!!

Easo

P.S. Go all Memphis-Bell cobber!

[p38arover]

I never updated this thread. I had the flight in the B25 as well. It was quite a long flight as we had to wait for the B17 to land ahead of us and also for the Me109 and Spitfires to do their airshow routine.

We flew much lower in the B25 than we did in the B17 and the manoeuvres were less sedate!

I got to try the tail gunner seat and also the waist positions in the B25 (the noe in the B17).

To top it off, when I got to San Fran, my wife had booked a heli flight tour over San Fran for Father's Day for me. I got the front seat again and the flight included two passes under the Golden Gate Bridge. People walking the bridge wouldn't have seen us coming owing to the fog until we popped up in front of them.

[Ned260]

I flew in the bombardiers seat of the B-17G Sentimental Journey in Vernal, Utah in September, it was truly amazing, I would recommend it to anyone, its worth every cent.

[clubagreenie]

I'd have sacrificed something else and gone both.