Life Long Dreams and the Liberty Belle

[Rod Schneider]

For anyone out there who is wondering if volunteering on warbirds can be personally satisfying, wonder no more! A little over a year ago, I got involved with the fine folks in the Liberty Foundation who operate the B-17 Liberty Belle. The plane was at a local airport for winter maintenance, and this 30 year airliner mechanic thought it would be neat to work on a "real" airplane. I've had a deep interest in B-17's since I read (and re-read many times) the book "Flying Fortress" by Edward Jablonski when I was about 9 or 10 years old!
I was welcomed by the Liberty folks and spent many days with another fellow upgrading and simplifying a lot of the wiring on the plane. This past December, the plane was in Albuquerque, NM for winter maintenance, and I spent a week out there helping to change #2 engine and some other projects.
I've gotten to ride on the plane a few times, which is really neat, but yesterday I was able to fulfill a dream I've had since I was a kid.
The plane was flown from Albuquerque to Canton, GA, (47A, Cherokee County Airport), and I was allowed to tag along for the flight. A couple of hours into the rather chilly flight, the pilot in the right seat asked if I'd like to fly for a while! I spent about 2 1/2 hours flying the plane and imagining what it must have been like for the flight crews in WWII. If anyone had told this low time private pilot that he'd actually get to fly a B-17 one day, I wouldn't have believed it. It is easily the most thrilling thing I've ever done in my 51 years on this planet! A big thank you to Ray for allowing me the honor!!!

[Holedigger]

Very cool! Just don't touch the RED BUTTON!

[RMAllnutt]

Good for you!!! That must have been a terrific experience.

Cheers,
Richard

[B-17 Buff]

Your life long deep interest mirrors mine albeit im a bit younger... though i still havent got in that seat yet! Very jealous, well done.

[the330thbg]

Very, very cool my friend!!!!

[GARY HILTON]

If you're anything like me, I always manage to accidentally spill the super glue on the seat of my pants, or get it on the wheel/stick! Good for you! Hope you got it on film, and I hope yer face don't crack from grin'n!!!

[Rod Schneider]

If you're anything like me, I always manage to accidentally spill the super glue on the seat of my pants, or get it on the wheel/stick! Good for you! Hope you got it on film, and I hope yer face don't crack from grin'n!!!

Hmmm........didnt' think about superglue I will admit that I did not make any mention of getting out of the seat and was content to be there as long as I could be. I did get some pictures taken and, no, I haven't stopped grinning yet!

[mustangdriver]

That grin will be there for a very long time. I got to do the same on Fuddy Duddy years ago. It is one of the coolest things that I ever got to do.

[Cking]

I would LOVE to change a B-17 engine!!! I am so jealous!

Rgds Cking

[GARY HILTON]

Fantastic, Rod!! Be sure and post the pictures!!!