Author Topic: (NGC) Booked a B-17 ride - mission accomplished with pics (Read 10936 times)

Gliderjohn · « **on:** May 09, 2016, 09:28:15 AM »

Well I did it and booked a seat in the radio/waist gunner area of the Texas Raider B-17. It will be in Wichita next week. If all goes as planned my flight will be on Tuesday the 17th. Excited!
GliderJohn

mgmark · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2016, 09:45:26 AM »

Oh yeah! That was one of the coolest things I've ever done. A bucket list thing for sure.
I was lucky and got a 2hr flight from the winter maintenance facilty to the first stop on their tour. Just me and the two pilots. Plenty of time to spend at each of the stations of the plane, except tail gunner. A real chance to reflect on what it must have been like in the War.
Take ear plugs. Don't bump your head on the top turret while standing between the pilots seats.

Mark

oldbike54 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2016, 10:08:11 AM »

John , you aren"t claustrophobic for sure

Dusty

jbell · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2016, 10:14:08 AM »

Sounds great. There is B-25 near me and I've been thinking of doing the same with it. You may have just pushed me over the edge. Let us know how your flight goes and don't shoot off your own wings.

twowings · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2016, 11:10:35 AM »

Oh, man...you are one lucky guy! Wave at us!!

rocker59 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2016, 11:31:11 AM »

sounds like fun

kingoffleece · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2016, 11:32:02 AM »

WELL DONE. I did that several years ago. Whatever you do be sure to get up and into the nose. UNREAL!
Those were some tough guys! It'll feel like you're in a washing machine. Bring earplugs. Seriously.

kingoffleece · « **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2016, 11:33:12 AM »

I went with a guy whose father flew 17's in Europe. My dad flew 24's out of Darwin. 44 combat missions.

Aaron D. · « **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2016, 11:44:58 AM »

I did a B-24 flight a few years ago-hard to believe how small everything was, and it was much roomier than the -17!

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2016, 12:21:59 PM »

Quote from kingoffleece:

Quote

Whatever you do be sure to get up and into the nose.

Would love to but as I understand it I will not be allowed during the flight unless I want to pay $800 to ride in the nose. That is a bit rich for me. Plan to have earplugs and a camera. I have seen B-17 take offs and low passes at previous airshows so I have a bit of an idea how loud they are.
GliderJohn

lucydad · « **Reply #10 on:** May 09, 2016, 04:08:23 PM »

Oh man. My uncle COL Harold F. Brown flew 35 combat missions as a B-17 pilot. Also did VIP ferry service for various generals, politicians and such including Tito.

Jealous. Need to do it.

Guido Valvole · « **Reply #11 on:** May 09, 2016, 10:50:06 PM »

I went up in the Collings Foundation's B-17 a few years ago. Well worth the $400 for an hour or so. I'll never complain about noise or accommodations in a commercial flight again... the good part of the deal was that there were no assigned seats. We were expected to rotate through all of the positions while in flight, sitting down only for takeoff and landing. Where is live (Martinez CA) has lots of refineries and other chemical plants and bridges -- looking at those from a bomber is an interesting perspective, to say the least.

I took two appropriate cameras, a 1933 Leica III with 35mm f3.5 Elmar (postwar so coated and as sharp as anything at f11-16) and 1957 IIIg with 50/2.8 (a little late but in the spirit) with b&w film. Photos follow. An amazing experience.

Remember that before the B-29, the 17 was the big one. Luxury accommodations... now imagine being at 25,000 feet wrapped in leather & sheepskin trying to breathe with guns on the ground and German fighters shooting at you. Not for the faint!
cr

Strap in on your pallet and get ready. (35)

Looking toward Marin County. (35)

Looking at this from a bomber is interesting... (35)

By luck I just happened to be in the bombardier's seat as we approached the Martinez-Benicia bridges. Mothball fleet before that. Can you say "target-rich"? (50)

And even a battleship! (now in LA) (50)

Mt Diablo with Pratt & Whitney radials. Lovely sound!

If you ever have the opportunity to do this, DO IT!!!

rodekyll · « **Reply #12 on:** May 10, 2016, 12:47:04 AM »

Nice pics!

kingoffleece · « **Reply #13 on:** May 10, 2016, 01:10:06 AM »

I see. We also got to rotate around the plane to all positions. In addition a large opening was at the radio operators position. I could get me entire head out into the air stream and stuck the camera out there, too!

To get to nose of plane one needs to slide on belly between pilots and down into the front of the plane. In addition to a small radio and chart area there was two guns positions. This is all in a very cramped space. It must of sounded like holy h@!! when those 50 calibre guns were blasting.

I'm still astounded at how loud the plane was and the level of vibration. Not to mention that it seems like a tin can from the inside.

Never had an opportunity to ride in a 24. Someday hopefully before they are all grounded.

ITSec · « **Reply #14 on:** May 10, 2016, 02:26:20 AM »

Take earplugs. Even if they give you a headset. Seriously. You've never heard noise till you've been in a 30s or 40s big aircraft with radials. I used to ride a PBY fairly often back in the 70s, and it's a gift that my hearing is still good.

That being said, it will be a blast, and I'm sure you'll be looking ten directions at once trying to take it all in!

Aaron D. · « **Reply #15 on:** May 10, 2016, 06:11:51 AM »

I think the Collings -2 is the only one flying-but another may be on the way.

They have a 2 seat Mustang (my next plan) and an F4-and for a real treat a flying Me-262, on which you can qualify!

lucian · « **Reply #16 on:** May 10, 2016, 07:02:18 AM »

Please resist the urge to push any buttons or pull any levers.

kingoffleece · « **Reply #17 on:** May 10, 2016, 08:25:15 AM »

A Mustang ride would be the be all end all!

davedel44 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 10, 2016, 02:45:20 PM »

Wondering if that is same bomber as the one once based at Line Star Flight Museum.

Never rode it, wished I had. Will if rides are ever offered again.

Enjoy

:1: on ear plugs. Was really loud even from the ground.

Dave
Galveston

jbell · « **Reply #19 on:** May 10, 2016, 06:37:43 PM »

Quote from: ITSec on May 10, 2016, 02:26:20 AM

Take earplugs. Even if they give you a headset. Seriously.******** You've never heard noise till you've been in a 30s or 40s big aircraft with radials.***** I used to ride a PBY fairly often back in the 70s, and it's a gift that my hearing is still good.

That being said, it will be a blast, and I'm sure you'll be looking ten directions at once trying to take it all in!

You might try the engine room of a WWII submarine.

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #20 on:** May 16, 2016, 06:55:28 PM »

ll...my flight has been delayed to at least Wednesday but more likely Thursday due to weather. This waiting part is difficult. Kind of like waiting for Christmas when I was a little kid.
GliderJohn

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2016, 07:53:58 PM »

Quote from: kingoffleece on May 10, 2016, 01:10:06 AM

To get to nose of plane one needs to slide on belly between pilots and down into the front of the plane. In addition to a small radio and chart area there was two guns positions. This is all in a very cramped space. It must of sounded like holy h@!! when those 50 calibre guns were blasting.

Is that the Navigator position?
My Dad was lead navigator of a squadron he led over to England (21yo) and then did 26? missions including an emergency landing in France. He's got some good stories that are finally being told..

His airbase in Eye England is just now dedicating a memorial to the US Airmen.. the cool thing is he does FaceTime with some of his friends over there.. yep facetime at 91 years old!

Duc-Duc-Goose · « **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2016, 08:17:58 PM »

What an opportunity and adventure! Talk about power... incredible torque... ride of a lifetime. Enjoy!

ITSec · « **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2016, 08:29:32 PM »

Quote from: jbell on May 10, 2016, 06:37:43 PM

You might try the engine room of a WWII submarine.

Is that what they call "The Silent Service"?

Huzo · « **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2016, 09:17:39 PM »

Have a great time you lucky bugger!!! Tell them you're prepared to sit in the jump seat, 'cos if the engines quit you'll be just the guy to help, you've done heaps of unpowered landings !!

Stormtruck2 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 17, 2016, 05:15:29 PM »

If you want a really cool log book entry try this:
https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/flight-experiences/aluminum-overcast-eaa-b-17-bomber-tour/b-17-flight-experience

I did this years ago, all I can say is, DO IT!!!!!! Also get a flight in a P-51D. Last time I did it cost was about $400 for half hour. Not bad when you consider it burns 60/hr at economy cruise, and eight hours of service/repair for every hour of flight. I flew in Gunfighter II with Gen, Regis Urshurler years ago when I lived in Wayne Ne. What a ride.

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #26 on:** May 17, 2016, 07:23:19 PM »

As of this evening I am booked for 4:30pm tomorrow. Weather looks promising. Keeping fingers crossed.
GliderJohn

oldbike54 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 17, 2016, 07:27:48 PM »

Quote from: gliderjohn on May 17, 2016, 07:23:19 PM

As of this evening I am booked for 4:30pm tomorrow. Weather looks promising. Keeping fingers crossed.
GliderJohn

We're pullin' for ya John .

We need an airplane emo

Dusty

rodekyll · « **Reply #28 on:** May 18, 2016, 04:24:17 AM »

Don't forget your Speed Graphic and Foster Grants!

jbell · « **Reply #29 on:** May 18, 2016, 03:18:51 PM »

Quote from: ITSec on May 16, 2016, 08:29:32 PM

Is that what they call "The Silent Service"?

Can't talk about it.

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Author Topic: (NGC) Booked a B-17 ride - mission accomplished with pics (Read 10936 times)

oldbike54

twowings

lucydad

oldbike54