B-17 Texas Raiders

phil65 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 01, 2017 4:16 pm

http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/news ... d6e62.html

"Throughout the day, Scott said the general public will soon be able to purchase a “Living History Flight” aboard a World War II B-17 Bomber, which is nicknamed “Texas Raiders.”

Flights are about 25 minutes long and available to anyone 12 years old and up. The waistgunner seats are $475 and there are two prize seats in the nose of the plane, the bombardier and navigator seats. Those are $850 and $750, respectively, Scott said."

True ?
Seems pricey...

Phil

StangStung · **Posted:** Wed Mar 01, 2017 4:55 pm

Seems in line with some of the other tours I've seen.

Those round engines we all love turn money into smoke at an astounding rate.

phil65 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 01, 2017 5:17 pm

Not to sit in the nose....
I paid that much to sit in FiFi's nose...

https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/flight-exper ... tour-stops

I paid $400 to fly in A.O., and you can walk all over it...

Phil

Randy Wilson · **Posted:** Wed Mar 01, 2017 5:59 pm

Hi Phil - I just looked on their website and those are the prices shown. I'm pretty sure that any front cockpit seats on Fifi are higher, at least they used to be. I'm in Dallas for the CAF Wing Staff Conference this weekend and will check on the current prices for the B-29 rides. Back to you when I can.

Randy

phil65 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 01, 2017 6:42 pm

Hi Randy,

http://www.airpowersquadron.org/b-29-superfortress

I sat in the Flight Observer Seat about two years age, it was just under $1,000.

Phil

Randy Wilson · **Posted:** Wed Mar 01, 2017 9:11 pm

Phil - thanks for that quick link to the B-29 ride seat info. Obviously a lot of folks find the ride and price worthwhile and others may find them pricey. I hope you enjoyed your experience. We are doing our best to make these experiences available in a variety of our planes for a long time. All the best and fly safe.

Randy

phil65 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 01, 2017 9:24 pm

Definitely a great experience.... :drink3:

'Tail gunner seat available during flight"... :shock:

Phil

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Wed Mar 01, 2017 10:13 pm

If you ride in "Texas Raiders", do so up in the nose, well worth price paid. The Take Off will be quite loud but after that its cake.

Lynn

JohnB · **Posted:** Wed Mar 01, 2017 11:11 pm

Any B-17 ride is an event.
Years ago, I got a cross country ride in that aircraft from Dyess to Love Field...took off in the radio room, landed in the nose. A great ride.

Xrayist · **Joined:** Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:51 am **Posts:** 325

I hope this is not a trend. My brother rode Nine-0-Nine last year, I think for around $450 for a 30-40 minute flight. Once airborne the passengers were allowed to go anywhere in the plane except the cockpit and the tail gun position. When I rode it several years ago, we had to remain seated near the waist guns during takeoff and for landing, otherwise we were able to go throughout the plane with the exception of the tail gun position.

phil65 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2017 11:53 am

Same here....

My flight in FiFi was 5 years ago, time flies....

Phil

martin_sam_2000 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 08, 2012 10:05 am **Posts:** 397

Xrayist wrote:

I hope this is not a trend. My brother rode Nine-0-Nine last year, I think for around $450 for a 30-40 minute flight. Once airborne the passengers were allowed to go anywhere in the plane except the cockpit and the tail gun position. When I rode it several years ago, we had to remain seated near the waist guns during takeoff and for landing, otherwise we were able to go throughout the plane with the exception of the tail gun position.

I talked with a few B-17 crews/operators and the big issues, as I understand it, is the liability of having people cross the bomb bay. I hear it only takes 100 pounds or so to force them open and some operators worry about someone falling through. Those that allow crossing charges one fee, those that block the crossing, charge a premium for the nose as it is a very exciting place. I was in the nose for a takeoff and I am SOOO happy I was. It was amazing!!!

Sean

wendovertom · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2017 2:39 pm

Totally worth it! Me on the right (left seat) a few years back on Sentimental Journey.

Tom P.

WIXerGreg · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2017 6:39 pm

Are other organizations doing this now also? This is the first I've heard of it but it isn't surprising. I guess I'm lucky that I've gotten four bomber flights in already while still able to move about.

The nose wheel doors on the B-24 I understand will also fall open with very little force.

Nathan · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2017 11:13 pm

I walked back and forth through the bomb bay of a B-17 several times in flight and never gave it a thought.

I also poked my head out of the top of the radio compartment in flight. Many men flew and died on missions in B-17s before me and I will be damned if I am going to be worried about anything during an enjoyment ride. :drink3:

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