mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Share Posted October 15, 2005 In June this year, my brother surprised me with a gift of a ride along in a B-17 which has been fully restored to wartime condition by the Collings Foundation (www.collingsfoundation.org). They take the B-17 and a similarly restored B-24 around the country and take small groups of people up for 45 minute flights. I'm posting 15 photos here for LSP enjoyment. I should put them in the walkaround section, but I find it easier to do it this way. (Is that OK, LSP administrators?...). I had a great experience that I never thought I'd get to do. Hope you like 'em! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 Looking up at the bobardier's position. Note Norden Bombsight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 Looking at the nose art... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 You wouldn't believe how small the ball turret actually is inside. They don't let you in it, anyway. I'm six feet tall, but I would have tried if they let me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 This is my brother, Chris, checking out the tail gunner's position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 Looking forward at the navigator's station onthe left, and the bombardier's station in the nose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 Pilot and co-pilot spots... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 Looking aft from the cockpit, through the bomb bay, into the radio operator's position. They removed the plexiglas from the radio compartment during the flight, and I promptly hoisted myself out as far as I could get. Note narrow catwalk through the bomb bay. I was the youngest and most nimble person among the 44 or so people who went up in the four groups in the B-17 and B-24 (and I'm in my 40's!). I was a little concerned watching some of those guys walking across the catwalk during the flight. No tragedies ensued. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 Looking straight down at the ball turret inside the fuselage. Note ammo cans at the sides of the photo, and ammo feed chutes entering the turret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 Left waist gun... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 ...and right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 In flight now, skimming about 2,500 feet AGL around the San Francisco Bay Area. Looking out the nose. I would have loved to see the plane swooping over from the ground, but the view from inside was even more spectacular. Stayed low the whole time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 Making the bomb run on San Jose. Norden bombsight between my knees. What looks like an explosion and shock wave is just the flash of the camera. Sorry to disappoint... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 Looking left from bombardier's position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyfarm Posted October 15, 2005 Author Share Posted October 15, 2005 Looking aft through the open radio compartment. I popped out of that hole as many times as I could without alarming anyone. Love that wind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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