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 - 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 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B-17 is a significantly earlier design, (first flight 1935), but soldiered on throughout the war despite being quite outdated, even by 1939 - the Liberator was far better, as were several British aircraft, but the B-17 proved to be capable of extensive development and was produced in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

Have fun mate.

Matt.

[p38arover]

Elisabeth just told me to fly both!

[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.