AATA 0 Posted March 25, 2013 Not really, but here's a few pictures from our flight in a B-17 this weekend. As you may have heard, they were offering rides out of Gillespie Field over the weekend, so we jumped on it. This is the B-17 that was in the movie the Memphis Belle. Once we were up, they let us walk around to the different areas like the nose gunner/bomb scope, bomb bay, radio, etc. Sitting in the nose was like flying through the sky in a glass bubble. Pretty cool! Such a raw machine. Engines roaring, smoke pouring out, plane shaking during take off, cables are all exposed so you can see them working, etc. They opened the top hatch, which is like a sunroof, so as we were flying we could stick your head out the top. Side gunner ports were also open. Simply an unforgetable experience! Here's a couple pics just from my iphone. Some of my family looking out the top hatch... Side shot... Another one out the top..... In our seats during take off.... Before the flight... Cant get my video to work from my iphone? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyAirtime 2 Posted March 25, 2013 That's just awesome!!!! I saw it fly over several times (I live in Clairemont) over the past couple of weekends.... and wondered why it was up in the sky overhead. Sounded just like it does in the movies!! However, only one of them... rather then a full squadron. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kato 54 Posted March 25, 2013 this airplane JUST flew over my house right now in san carlos (cowles mountain) as I read this!! Must have been something to fly inthere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FuzzyNugs 0 Posted March 25, 2013 Amazing piece of history there and you got to ride in it; I'm jealous. Would have been a terrifying experience to see air combat in that beast and sobering to unleash payloads over European cities. Let's see that video! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AATA 0 Posted March 25, 2013 Lets see if this video works? If it does, I have a few more short ones from different areas on the plane. Speaking of history, they gave us a little before the flight. I forget the exact numbers, but they built over 12,000 B-17's for the war. Over 7,000 of them were shot down, so as a crew member, there was less than a 50/50 chance you would make it back. Considering those stats, 25 missions for the Memphis Belle is amazing. Some other interesting points they made. The B-17 can fly on 1 engine if needed. Originally each gunner only had 1 min. worth of ammo. 1 min. on a machine gun while being attacked. No thanks! As they came back, they asked for more, so they would send more planes with smaller/less bombs so they could carry more ammo. Temps were in the sub-zeros, so they had electric suits that they plugged in for heat, but they rarely worked. I can't imagine what it was like for those guys. Not sure who had it worse, the guys on the ground on the guys in the sky. One other cool part of the flight was that one of the guys on our flight was a crew member on a B-17 in WWII. He wasn't small and could barely walk so along with a couple other guys, we literally lifted him on the plan. His family told us they couldn't afford to go, but it was his dream, so he went alone. My Dad and I helped him around a little, but he couldn't fit through a narrow area in the bomb section, so he stayed near the back. He barely said a word, but at the end, he had a smile and tears at the same time. I can't imagine what was going through his head! Anyway, hope this video works.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AATA 0 Posted March 25, 2013 Let me know if that works for you guys and I will add a couple more short videos. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danrider 5 Posted March 25, 2013 How cool is that. Can you do this ride through out the month? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AATA 0 Posted March 25, 2013 I think it was only for the weekend, but not 100% sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AATA 0 Posted March 25, 2013 Here's one looking down the bomb sight in the nose. The pilot told me to take out Viejas, but we passed it before I could get my camera out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FuzzyNugs 0 Posted March 25, 2013 Video works when you click on it, but is not embedded. Thanks, looks like a great way to scout out some trails too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve S. 0 Posted March 25, 2013 Very nice! There is nothing like the sound of a B-17 flying overhead... but what a treat to get to fly in one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyAirtime 2 Posted March 26, 2013 How cool is that. Can you do this ride through out the month? I wondered too... They must've been active today, as i heard them more then once!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHunter 15 Posted March 26, 2013 Amazing how brutally basic those things are. A long mission in one of those with limited warm gear must've worn a crew out. Strega and I visited the Palm Springs Air Museum a few years back. I didn't know ahead of time they offered flights and didn't make reservations. I think I need to get back out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KLXBEN 0 Posted March 26, 2013 Ok how much? I would love to ride in that old rattle trap Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastaPilot 17 Posted March 26, 2013 How cool is that. Can you do this ride through out the month? Very cool and thanks for taking the ride and helping to keep our aviation history airworthy and flying. The "Memphis Belle" is operated by The Liberty Foundation and they do tour the US for air shows and just to give rides. The Commemorative Air Force is currently running the Airpower History Tour and was at Brown Field from March 11-13. They are currently headed to Las Vegas. I had the pleasure of getting my house buzzed by FIFI, the only flying B-29 in the world, on a daily basis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KLXBEN 0 Posted March 26, 2013 Ok...just went to the website... Ya, wont be riding in that beast anytime soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AATA 0 Posted March 26, 2013 Very cool and thanks for taking the ride and helping to keep our aviation history airworthy and flying. The "Memphis Belle" is operated by The Liberty Foundation and they do tour the US for air shows and just to give rides. The Commemorative Air Force is currently running the Airpower History Tour and was at Brown Field from March 11-13. They are currently headed to Las Vegas. I had the pleasure of getting my house buzzed by FIFI, the only flying B-29 in the world, on a daily basis. My Dad took my Grandpa in that B-29 for fathers day a few years back. He passed away shortly after. He flew them at the tail end of the war, so it was a real treat for him. He wore his flight jacket at all and was grinning ear to ear as he stepped off. Good memories. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strega 0 Posted March 26, 2013 Damn, that is INSANELY cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crawdaddy 96 Posted March 27, 2013 Very Cool "Legends over the CO." is taking place in Bullhead City next weekend......we may head out for that and first splash in the river during 2013..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carguy 1 Posted March 27, 2013 Ok how much? I would love to ride in that old rattle trap If ya have to ask, anyways I got something for you and the kid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bubbagums 42 Posted March 27, 2013 I was offered a ride today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KLXBEN 0 Posted March 28, 2013 [ I got something for you and the kid. Ok cool, I will have to come by your house Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Champ 116 Posted March 28, 2013 Are you scrapping that old willys, I'll tow it down there for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
