B-17 Ride

[jfh230]

Took my daughter up with me on a B-17 flight yesterday. Absolutely incredible experience. Gained even more respect for the WWII vet's who flew in them. I also understand why a lot of men went down with the ship when hit. It is difficult enough moving around inside when it is flying straight and level. Can't even imagine trying to fight my way to an emergency hatch when it is smoking, on fire, heading straight down or in a spin.

Jack

 

[jfh230]

Bombs Away!

 

[jfh230]

Looking straight down from the bombardiers seat in the nose cone

 

[jfh230]

Looking forward thru the nose cone. Bomb sight is at the lower part of photo

 

[jfh230]

Big ole pratt and whitneys right next to the navigators window

 

[jfh230]

From the top ball turret looking toward the tail.

 

[jfh230]

Up in the cockpit looking at the copilot.

 

[jfh230]

Waist gunner

 

[jfh230]

Back on the ground. Bomb bay doors open.

Funny story. While we were up one of the other passengers had a cell phone clipped to his belt. In moving around it came off. Everyone turned the plane inside out looking for it. Couldn't find it. What we think happened is it got knocked off when he walked from the midsection to the cockpit over the bomb bay compartment. We inadvertenly bombed some poor farmer with a cell phone when the doors opened during the flight!

Jack

 

[MikePA]

Great photos!! Thanks for sharing.

Was this part of the Confederate Air Force? What did it cost?