Who out there has taken a ride in which B-17?

[deskpro590]

Nine-O-Nine in 2008 out of Arlington, TX. Was a surprise gift for my 40th birthday.

[John Dupre]

909 about 1993. From Laconia, NH to Manchester. Got the ride for free at the very last minute while standing fire guard for the engine start. Thought the acceleration at take off was pretty impressive. Loved looking down from the waist window on my truck in the parking lot during the fly by and watching houses pass through the cross hairs of the Norden bomb sight. Earned my keep after landing by cleaning oil off the nacelles.

[Lt51506]

Virgin's Delight, N3702G (was Tanker E61 back then) and Memphis Belle, N3703G (Tanker E78). Was back in the spring of 1968 at Chino, CA. I remember the pilot for E61 was Larry Hill, with whom I was friends with for many years. I'm not exactly sure who the PIC was for E78, could have been Don Ornbaum but I just don't remember.

The best memory of those flights, was crawling down into the nose and watching the world slide past underneath me. Irreplaceable memories for a 9 year old!

Tom

[Mike]

......I cannot guess how many flights I have done in them......I dunno 200+

Okay, okay, you win!

[Avnut]

Aluminum Overcast - June 1999 at the Akron/Canton Airport, hosted by MAPS.

I'm glad I purchased the L-2 jacket afterwards, because it was only a $100 then. I had some extra embrodiery done on the back to make it more unique with a bit of a 40s look to it. I have gotten several compliments regarding it.

[seaknight15]

Miss Angela 30 plus when we had her at POF East Yankee Lady 5 times

[TonyM]

Collings Foundation B-17 #909

[mu5tanggt]

Nine O Nine at TTN 2006, Witchcraft the year before.

[AviaS199]

I flew in Sentimental Journey twice in the early '90's when I was doing air show photography. When I was in the radio room and waist, it struck me how limited visibility was. And taking my clothes off in public (don't worry, ain't gonna happen) wouldn't make me feel more naked than I felt in the nose.

In both places, the noise was UNBELIEVABLE. I've wondered on occasion since how many lives were lost to reflexes dulled by the incessant noise and the cold of altitude.

Ever compare the relative sizes of a fifty cal and a twenty millimeter bullet? Imagine that in the back of your mind as you went to work surrounded by bombs, ammunition, oxygen tanks and hydraulic fluid. Those crews were brave beyond my ability to understand bravery...

In May 1990, I worked for a TV station in Victorville, CA, and wangled the chance to ride Sentimental Journey from Camarillo to Apple Valley. They gave me the best seat in the house for takeoff and landing - the bombadier's seat in the nose. I wound up making a half-hour documentary about the flight, the aircraft, and the people who keep her flying. Michael is right - one feels quite naked in the nose. The young wartime crewmembers were expected to fly into the face of enemy fighters and ack-ack surrounded only by a thin layer of aluminum and plexiglass. It must have been terrifying.

Regarding the noise - Sentimental Journey produced its share. But a few years later, I had the chance to fly on Collings' B-24, then in its "All-American" livery. As loud as SJ was, it could not compete with AA. The noise aboard a Liberator, especially behind the engines, is a physical force that beats down on you. My flight on SJ was enlightening and sobering, but still quite exhilarating. The flight on AA, on the other hand, left me worn out and exhausted. Bottom line: Any man who completed 25 or more missions in either aircraft has earned my eternal respect.