B-17 Nine O Nine

[SHobbs]

Took my third flight this past Tuesday over Waco, this time on the Nine O Nine. I have been watching and waiting for the Collings Foundation to make a few tour stops in Texas and it finally happened. This was the first time I have seen the crew hand rotate the props before the flight, I offered to help and they were more than happy to let me. I took my uncle with me this time he has always wanted to take a flight and this was his first. The person wearing the shorts in the picture was our pilot, he said he has over 4000 hours in a B-17. What a job he has.

This plane is an exact replica of the original Nine O Nine which completed over 130 missions without losing a single crew member. The yellow marks on the fuselage mark every mission.

 

[GAmes]

Absolutely awesome, and I was in Waco today:{ I had no idea you could get rides in those old planes.

 

[NIsaacs]

My old logging partner was a tail gunner in a B-17. He loves to go to Tucson to the Pima Air Museum and the 390th Memorial Museum nearby. The 390th Bombardment Group with the Eighth Air Force was his group and was stationed in England from '43-'45. They have a restored B-17G called "I'll be Around" awesome equipment.



Nick

 

[SHobbs]

GAmes,

Yes sir you can get a flight for a donation of $425. It's not cheap but considering the operational cost are $4000/ hour to fly one it helps to keep them flying. They also had a B-24, P-51 Mustang and a short body version of the Huey. There are two B-17's that call Texas home, the Nine O Nine is based in Florida and tours extensively. Texas Raiders is in Houston, Thunderbird is in Galveston both offer flights. Nine O Nine will be in Texas for a little while longer.

Welcome to CAF Gulf Coast Wing
http://www.lsfm.org/
The Collings Foundation - Preserving Living Aviation History for Future Generations

 

[SHobbs]

Nick,

My grandfather was a pilot in the 326th squadron 92nd bomb group. He was shot down on Aug, 12, 1943 which led to his capture, he was a p. o. w for nearly three years.

 

[Tractorat]

Very cool. I love those old WWII planes, especially the B17's.



Years ago I went to an air show down at Boeing field. There was a B17 as well as several other WWII "war birds".



We were sitting at an outdoor cafe that they had set up. There was a 1940's style big band playing the war time hits. The band was playing "In the Mood". If you've ever seen the "Glen Miller" story with Jimmy Stewart, you may remember the seen during a rocket attack where the band keeps playing during the attack. Just as the attack is over, the band breaks from the quieter part to the very loud and energetic ending of the song and the crowd goes wild. Well, as we listened to the song, the B17 taxied right up to where we were sitting at just that part of In the Mood. The little crowd at the cafe just went wild. It couldn't have been cooler had they planned it that way.

 

[GAmes]

... ... . and a short body version of the Huey.

Thanks for the info and the links.



The "short body version" would either be an A, B, or C model. I have a lot of hours in the B and C and we used A models in the maintenance course I was an instructor at. The B and C models were the original gunships in Viet Nam until the AH-1G model Cobra was introduced. When the current UH-60s and AH-64s land in the boneyard, a Huey will be there to pick up the crews. :-laf

 

[SHobbs]

GAmes,



This is what they called a gunship Huey I think. It's purpose was to provide cover fire for the dust offs. It seats a pilot, co pilot and a door gunner on each side. They said this one served in Vietnam and has a very storied service career. I think it is a UH-1 Huey gunship



Tractorat,



This song

"IN THE MOOD" BY GLENN MILLER - YouTube



There is nothing like climbing into one of these old girls and taking a flight. You'd be surprised at how smooth and graceful they are in the air. Nine O Nine has a canopy above the radio room and they had it removed. In flight you can stick your head out of the plane and get a fantastic view although very windy. No matter which warbird if you get a chance to take a flight and can afford it, do it. Every dollar helps to keep them flying and keeps a little part of aviation history alive and well. This is a shot from the radio room where the canopy, well plastic cover, window which ever was removed.

 

[p-Bar]

Like to get my dad in one of those . How can I get a schedule to see if they come to Commyfornia? Ah found it Collins is coming to Carlsbad Ca. Awesome

 

[SHobbs]

p-Bar,

You can also check on Sentimental Journey and see if they are close to you.
Arizona Wing of the CAF - Home of B-17G Sentimental Journey!

Also this one
EAA's B-17 - Aluminum Overcast

 

[Blu-meanie]

They visit Lincoln CA too. My father-in-law flew on them WWII, North Africa and he didn't want to tour it when it came to the air show. I paid and pretty much forced him, he had a great time BSing with some of the other vets visiting the B-17. Had a B-24 too. He wouldn't fly in it... . said he used to be paid to do that... . He's gone now, but he was there when America was America.