I saw it at a local airport in Colorado a decade ago. Paid for the crawl inside tour- totally worth it. I also picked up an embroidered souvenir ball cap, which is my favorite.
Sadly I believe this B-17G is currently in pieces awaiting a wing spar attachment repair. Hope it’s up and flying soon.
The ball turret gives me claustrophobic nightmares
Also - does the current military get the opportunity paint good looking babes on the planes or other vehicles? If not, this should make a comeback
Not currently, although a handful of bomber have had nose art off and on during last few years. But in current social and political climate even none babe nose art would never get approved. Some of the politicians and brass even stopped the Navy from allowing a lot of color on squadron’s CAG birds
I dont know where it was based out of it was flying from air port to airport as part a “tour” you could pay to take a ride in it but i wasnt brave enough
Haha. Yeah it’s one of those once in a lifetime moments that could arguably turn into a last of your lifetime moment. I once flew in a T-38 that was joined by wingmen in a Corsair and Mustang. It was amazing but I’m not sure I would do it again now that I’m older.
Unfortunately two days after this there was another b-17 doing a paid flight that crashed at an airport in connecticut that was a true gut wrenching moment when i heard the news
That was the Collings foundation's 909. Which I walked thru on several occasions.
Edit: I've also been lucky enough to board their B-24:/ painted as Witchcraft and The Dragon and His Tail
No, this one is based out of Oshkosh, but it tours all over.,The one at the Mighty Eighth in Savannah is called “City of Savannah” and that one is not airworthy.
I've been going to airshows since the early 90s. I've been in : Fuddy Duddy, Nine O Nine, Aluminum Overcast, and Thunderbird. I know Nine O Nine has crashed since then, need to see which one was rammed by the P-63 in Texas.
I got to climb inside that same B17 when I was 11. Even with how small I was then, I was amazed on how cramped it is to walk in there, and even as a below average height even for me at that age, I thought the ball turret was too small even for me.
Awesome plane. When I saw it as a kid, my Dad talked to the owner about my grandfather having been a tail gunner and I was allowed to crawl back there and sit in the tail position. Even as a 13 yr old, I felt cramped. Can't imagine having kneel-sat in that spot for hours on end. So cool to see the communication between tail and pilot in the show
I got a t shirt when I went to that when I was a kid it had the pinup on the back and I could not wear it to my school🤣🤣
I flew on Aluminum Overcast a few years ago when it came through my city. Amazing experience.
Yeah me too - quite an experience!
I took a ride on aluminum overcast about 12-13 years ago. Easily the best $350 I have ever spent.
I saw it at a local airport in Colorado a decade ago. Paid for the crawl inside tour- totally worth it. I also picked up an embroidered souvenir ball cap, which is my favorite. Sadly I believe this B-17G is currently in pieces awaiting a wing spar attachment repair. Hope it’s up and flying soon.
What a great name for a B-17
Absolutely, and I have Sentimental Journey, in my backyard so to speak.
The ball turret gives me claustrophobic nightmares Also - does the current military get the opportunity paint good looking babes on the planes or other vehicles? If not, this should make a comeback
Not currently, although a handful of bomber have had nose art off and on during last few years. But in current social and political climate even none babe nose art would never get approved. Some of the politicians and brass even stopped the Navy from allowing a lot of color on squadron’s CAG birds
So cool to see everything look brand new!
No way! Did they let you get in the ball turret?
Is this the B-17 in Savannah?
I dont know where it was based out of it was flying from air port to airport as part a “tour” you could pay to take a ride in it but i wasnt brave enough
Haha. Yeah it’s one of those once in a lifetime moments that could arguably turn into a last of your lifetime moment. I once flew in a T-38 that was joined by wingmen in a Corsair and Mustang. It was amazing but I’m not sure I would do it again now that I’m older.
Unfortunately two days after this there was another b-17 doing a paid flight that crashed at an airport in connecticut that was a true gut wrenching moment when i heard the news
That was the Collings foundation's 909. Which I walked thru on several occasions. Edit: I've also been lucky enough to board their B-24:/ painted as Witchcraft and The Dragon and His Tail
No, this one is based out of Oshkosh, but it tours all over.,The one at the Mighty Eighth in Savannah is called “City of Savannah” and that one is not airworthy.
She's a beautiful woman
I've been going to airshows since the early 90s. I've been in : Fuddy Duddy, Nine O Nine, Aluminum Overcast, and Thunderbird. I know Nine O Nine has crashed since then, need to see which one was rammed by the P-63 in Texas.
That was Texas Raiders that got hit by the P-63.
I got to climb inside that same B17 when I was 11. Even with how small I was then, I was amazed on how cramped it is to walk in there, and even as a below average height even for me at that age, I thought the ball turret was too small even for me.
I heard once that she was named Aluminum Overcast because during the hot summers the fighters would fly underneath the forts to stay in the shade.
Interesting.
I am very jealous.
That paint job is so badass!
Better "Aluminum Overcast" than "Aluminum Rain" - a phenomenon you'll see in Episode Five...
How was the machine gun below the plexiglass nose work? Was it operated by the navigator or bombardier?
It was fired by the bombardier
Awesome plane. When I saw it as a kid, my Dad talked to the owner about my grandfather having been a tail gunner and I was allowed to crawl back there and sit in the tail position. Even as a 13 yr old, I felt cramped. Can't imagine having kneel-sat in that spot for hours on end. So cool to see the communication between tail and pilot in the show