B-17: A very nice day last Saturday

Last Saturday (4/17/10) hubby and I went to see this plane and talked to several veterans who flew many missions in these airplanes. One man had even bailed out twice, once over enemy territory and again over the ocean (if Gary heard correctly). These men don't approach you, but will gladly talk at length if you seem interested. All of them had pictures, and boy--they were so handsome!

Gary climbed into the plane with the ladder steps provided, but the men just used to hoist themselves up (they were between 19-26 years of age). He was immediately on his hands and knees (underneath where the pilots sit), then crawled through a "hole" that was so small one man got stuck, and then he was able to stand up (in the gun turret) on the way to the bomb bay.

(I passed on doing this since I'm still recovering from double 'footectomy' and my left knee still hurts from going eyeball to eyball with my cat several years ago ;-)

Note from Gary:

I was absolutlely blown away by how confining the space was on these aircraft...even in the waist gunner area. The ball turret gun enclosure [underside of the plane, called the "lower ball turret"] was so small that only a man of 5' 2'' or less could fit in. I have the feeling that most of the guys who flew the missions were all around 5'8". The image of Gregory Peck in 12 O'Clock High is somewhat suspect now. The Memphis Belle flick is probably more accurate. It's a wonder that anyone got out alive if the plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Brave boys all...

A ride cost $425.00 ($399.00 if you're a member) so--sadly--we passed for now, but the "Fly the Fortress" tour (hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association) will come back here again after touring the United States. The "Aluminum Overcast" is one of the only 14 operable B-17s in the world. The B-17 exhibition is part of EAA's 2010 "Salute to Veterans" tour and a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the B-17.

Schedule, prices, and information below (see if it's coming to your town):

http://www.b17.org/