Bomber Camp 2015

[Taigh Ramey]

A shameless plea to ask you all to help us spread the word that we have three spots left for Bomber Camp 2015. We are using the B-17G this year. Below is a link to a shaky video of the B-17 dropping a train of bombs with the Norden bombsight.

We will teach the basics of being a Navigator, Bombardier, Radio Operator and Gunnery. For the Gunnery portion try your hand at the 45 auto, M1 Carbine, M1 Garrand and an authentic Aerial Gunnery Training Browning M11 shotgun and hit some skeet. Then its off to the 1 1/2 ton Chevy E-5 Gunnery Trainer truck to shoot at flying targets from a powered turret.

After you receive ground training you can get in the Sperry ball turret and try it out powered up in flight. This is the best spot to see the bombs leaving the bomb bay as you can track them all the way to the target.

Here is a video of Ball turret operations at a previous camp:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcPTnsAP9wU

Here is the video of a train of bombs being dropped from the B-17:

https://youtu.be/KcBVrPqpseA

We have a whole host of the equipment that was used at the airfields around the world that makes the experience more authentic and it keeps getting better and better each year. This year we are setting up and operating off of WWII concrete and hangar built here at Stockton Field. We will also be offering rides and instruction in a BT-13 and an AT-6.

Some of the vehicles include; 7 1/2 ton Federal Wrecker, 1 1/2 ton Chevy M6 bomb truck and M5 trailer, GPW's, M2 Cletrac, Chevy crash truck, Staff Car, M1 bomb loading dolly and hopefully a newly recreated airfield caravan/control trailer. One of my favorite photos:



This is a very special and unique event that we have put together. Nowhere else can you experience such living history with all of the sights, smells and sounds of WWII brought back to life. The members of our beloved Arizona Living History Unit really do smell authentic! something you will never forget and it probably is a good idea that you can't experience it anywhere else

Please help us to spread the word about the three remaining spots and let them know that its also tax deductible as the proceeds go to two 501c3 nonprofits. It isn't cheap to put on Bomber Camp (now that's an understatement!) so we really need the last few campers to be sure we can keep doing this each year.

For more information call 209 982 0273 or you can do a google search for 'bomber camp' where you will find lots of photos and videos of past camps and happy campers.

We also have a facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/sfamuseum

[phil65]

Dumb question, is there ever a chance that you will do this on the East Coast ?

Thanks for all you do,
Phil

Last edited by phil65 on Thu May 07, 2015 5:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[dirtysidedown430]

And it cost how much. I have work on a few 17s over the years was a aircraft elect in nam on helos same elect sys as 17s you can PM if you like

[phil65]

"Cost: $3,900 per person (Price includes accommodations and food for two nights, materials, ammunition and support supplies. Trainees must arrange travel to hotel. Transportation to and from training facilities will be arranged.)"

[dirtysidedown430]

Will they be dropping footballs

[C VEICH]

Sounds like a bargain to me! I would have guessed it would cost much more. If I ever have the $3900 to spare I would do this in a second! Best of luck to all involved and stay safe.

[cco23i]

Soon students will arrive, be yelled at, outfitted with a uniform, take classes. go to the range, more yelling, a little socializing, a bomb drop and then graduation. YUP it's a fun time. (even for us instructors)

[p51]

If I ever have the $3900 to spare I would do this in a second!

I think that's the issue for lots of people.
I have wanted to volunteer to help out with this (as I'm a WW2 re-enactor and former Army Ordnance officer) but it's almost impossible to take time off to get down there to help out...

[cco23i]

It's a great time for we instructors too. We enjoy making it as real as we possibly can so our students get a slice of what 1944 wartime America was all about.

[Dan Johnson II]

I have to wonder if that photo was deliberate or a coincidence Taigh? I have to believe I wasn't the only one who had a flashback to seeing the photo below as a kid in "Air War against Hitler's Germany" in the grade school library

[Taigh Ramey]

One of the new additions to Bomber Camp this year is the Airfield Control trailer. These appear to have been field made with whatever was available so we did just that. Taking original ideas from several old photos we created trailer with its own charm. Here are a few of the inspirational photos:







We started with a purchase from Government Surplus. It came out a Air Force surplus properties auction a few years ago. Its always amazing that something like this was still in the Air Force inventory 70+ years after it was made. The trailer is a late war M5 Bomb Service Trailer that was only made during WWII but continued in use long after. The box is a WWII radio shelter that was meant to go in the back of a GMC deuce and a half. Someone put the shelter on the Bomb Trailer and gave it some utilitarian use as a paint trailer.

Here is the shot of what it looked like as found.



And now











It will serve as the radio shack to listen in on the communications of the B-17 while it is off flying the "missions". We will also use it for the radio portion of Bomber Camp.

[K5DH]

Nice work on the control trailer, Taigh!

How much of the radio gear is operational? The "radio nerd" in me just had to ask...

[Warbird Kid]

THAT IS TOO COOL! More detail shot please! Especially the turret!

[DH82EH]

That is too cool indeed!
Taigh, it looks like you have way too much fun man!

Power to you

Andy

[cco23i]

It was a GREAT time! The most students we have had to date. Things worked well and very little issues. Next year we will improve and already working training cadre and more training schedule.