Warbird Information Exchange

I can admit to being cash poor ~ but rich in happy memories of rides I've taken on vacations in the USA during the last ten years.

Of the nine B-17's still flying in the USA this year ~ I've managed to fly in ........ seven

I keep a log of the flights I've made on this page on my website

http://bomberflight.info/mission_tally.htm

Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to fly in Chuckie and The Movie Memphis Belle to complete the set

Like our friend Bomberflight, my "bucket list" contains an entry regarding flying aboard every available B-17. So far, I've flown aboard four B-17s: Chuckie (many times, since I was a crew member for years), Liberty Belle, Nine-O-Nine, and Aluminum Overcast. I did a ground tour of Sentimental Journey once, too (a long time ago, back when I couldn't afford the cost of a flight). I understand that Liberty Foundation has leased Movie Memphis Belle for a tour this year, so if they come to the D/FW area, I'll be able to cross her off my list!

I've also flown aboard both currently-operating B-24s.

Now, if I could just convince Miss Cindy to let me spend the big bucks and take a flight on FIFI. . .

_________________
Dean Hemphill, K5DH

Crew Chief, NAA F-86F Sabre 52-4689
Vintage Flying Museum
Fort Worth, Texas

Yankee Lady 8-23-10 at Willow Run.

"Nine-o-Nine" in 2008 (PWK to VPZ) & 2011 (VPZ to 05C)

I have been on Sentimental Journey and Texas Raiders both at Frederick years ago.

Yankee Lady at Reading some years back.

Fuddy Duddy at Batavia if I remember correctly.

_________________
Greg Witmer
Airboss / Ground Boss / WWII Aircraft Coordinator
David Schultz Airshows LLC

Can't let you on board without a boarding pass and at least two forms of ID! Having your Dad vouch for you doesn't fly with the folks from TSA!!!!

_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

I rode in SJ at Midland when all the gas caps were not secured, a nice quick return to the field was made. Then we took off again and a flight of T-34's flew over head with in 50' from us. I looked for missing screws on the panels on the T-34's but didn't find any. The best ride was in Texas Raiders thanks to Ober around the San Antonio area with Tex Hill and I in the nose...

Aluminum Overcast in 2003

_________________
http://floridawarbirds.wordpress.com/

Updated twice a week!!

I flew in Sentimental Journey twice in the early '90's when I was doing air show photography. When I was in the radio room and waist, it struck me how limited visibility was. And taking my clothes off in public (don't worry, ain't gonna happen) wouldn't make me feel more naked than I felt in the nose.

In both places, the noise was UNBELIEVABLE. I've wondered on occasion since how many lives were lost to reflexes dulled by the incessant noise and the cold of altitude.

Ever compare the relative sizes of a fifty cal and a twenty millimeter bullet? Imagine that in the back of your mind as you went to work surrounded by bombs, ammunition, oxygen tanks and hydraulic fluid. Those crews were brave beyond my ability to understand bravery...

"Yankee Lady" over Willoughby, Ohio a few years ago.

_________________
Kevin Kearney
Vice President
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation

C-54/R5D "Spirit of Freedom" BuNo 90414
C-97 "Angel of Deliverance" 52-2718

http://www.spiritoffreedom.org

Thanks to Mike Prentiss (warbirdguy), I got to ride in "Nine O Nine" from DuPage to Valparaiso in the summer of 2009. I have no idea how long the flight lasted, but it couldn't have gone long enough! The feeling of raw power on takeoff, being able to crawl up in the nose, and swinging the guns around in the waist windows on that flight was absolutely priceless and something I will never forget. I will always be thankful to Mike and the Collings Foundation for that experience.

_________________
Matt

"Be excellent to each other... And party on, dudes."

I managed rides on Fuddy Duddy in 2004 and '05, and Aluminum Overcast in '07. Fortunately I was working in the media at the time, and managed to get on the press flights.

It was exhilarating and humbling at the same time. I found it very challenging moving around in the planes in flight..especially getting in and out of the nose compartment. And I was just wearing light summer clothes..how those guys did it in heavy heated flight suits and flak vests, dragging oxygen bottles, while the plane was being buffeted by flak and shot at by fighters is beyond me!

This is probably my favorite B-17 ride pic, from 2004. This gentleman was actually B-24 crewman during the war, and this was his first time in anything similar since then. He may have been nearly 80, but inside he was 18 again.

SN

Neat to fly in a TV star.
They grounded her in 1971, so you're lucky to get the ride.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

Flew in the Evergreen B-17 'Shady Lady' down at Phoenix in '96 or 97, not sure which (most likely '97) while chasing Sentimental Journey around the pattern during the dawn patrol, was in the waist gunner's position. Every bit as noisy as a B-25 (and I've been up in three of those)...had a friend who had the pancake breakfast they were offering at the airport and felt a bit 'off' and so declined the ride.....could'nt believe it!

_________________
Mark Morris

Aluminum Overcast -- 1998 -- Watsonville California. High School graduation gift.

_________________
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, And in the darkness bind them