Tour and fly in a WWII Bomber!

2006 WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR

www.collingsfoundation.org/menu.htm

2006 Schedule:  www.collingsfoundation.org/cf_schedule-wof.htm

Pretty damn cool.  $425 a seat and probably worth it.  



- CD

Do they let you drop bombs or shoot the .50s?

I would like a ride on one of each please

If they have a free seat they will ask the people in line if they want to buy a ride. If you don't have the cash they will charge it. They will not let you 5 year old sit on your lap for the ride. I came very close to going on a ride.

The tour was here a couple months ago. There were some of the original flyboys there. I was just listing to them when a older man walks up to them. Turns out he was a boy (10) in 1944. One of the American crew members had been shot down over his town.

I stood there just listing to them for 10 minutes. The German fellow did say he still gets nervous when he hears a B17 flying over him.

Those two exact planes were here in Smyrna a couple of years ago. I took my son to them and we got in and walked ( well,I sort of squeezed ) around on them.
Simply amazing that the crew were able to do what they did back then. I could not imagine what it would have been like.
Another salute to that generation.

Quoted: Pretty damn cool.  $425 a seat and probably worth it.   - CD

Yep.  My Dad crewed on a B-24 in WWII.

I rode in the B-17. I didn't pay, but I would have, it was worth it.

Quoted: WTF? No B-25 pics?

I've been aboard their B17 and B25.

Took daughter along, she was about 13 - 14. She wasn't sure about the trip when I picked her up. But she loved being there and being able to board and walk threw the planes.

Kinda' glad she didn't want to ride. $800 for two tickets would have busted the budget for a very long time. Would have been worth it, of course.

Warbird porn.  Gotta love it.

Quoted: Do they let you drop bombs or shoot the .50s?

You can play air guitar on the .50s.  If you want I think they'll still let you crawl into the nose gun turret.  It's a little weird having just plexiglas below you and looking at the ocean.  Just make sure you don't step on the red marks of the nose wheel and the bombay doors.  There are no do-overs there.

Quoted: Yep.  My Dad crewed on a B-24 in WWII.

Thought you said screwed!

Gotta get my mind outta the gutter.

Quoted: WTF? No B-25 pics?

The B-25 is normally at these shows but didn't used to carry passengers.  I think it does now.

Bump for the night crew.

I'd pay.

A few years ago my son and I went up in their B-17 for some flight time.  He was kind of spooked by the openness of the plane - the upper rear window was wide open and there were all sorts of holes and gaps in the plane that you could see the ground through - completely authentic and not like anything you get flying Southwest to Austin.  Sitting in the plexiglass nose with my son while the plane droned through a canyon with a couple of ridges on each side of us was an experience that we both will never forget.  Completely worth it, if you get the chance.

-Gator

Quoted: I'd pay.

+1

I would not hesitate...

Quoted: Pretty damn cool.  $425 a seat and probably worth it.   - CD

Did both the B-17 and the B-24 a few years back.

WELL worth every penny Coolest thing I've ever done or probably ever will !

It's amazing, being up there, getting even the smallest idea what those guys went through, back in the day. You really can't grasp the experience unless you do it.  It's almost scary in some ways.  The damn things feel like there's not much more than a soda can worth of metal between you and the ground ! I walked through the 17's bomb bay and could see through the gaps in the bay doors below.  Talk about fear of heights ! hahaha

You get to crawl all over the plane, btw, once they're in the air.  All gun stations/turrets are accessible (except the 17's tail guns, too hard TO get to) as are all other areas.  I sat in the bombardier's chair for a bit and just stared.  It was a blast. There were even a few WWII bomber crew guys on my flights, who came down and took a ride, for one last time.   It was awesome talking to them, hearing a little of their lives back then.  One guy even took his dad for a birthday present.  His dad was a WWII B-17 vet and the old fellow just LOVED being back on one. He never stopped smiling ! I and a couple others even got to rotate the props, before starting the engines, to circulate the oil, like you see in the movies.  Got oil stains on that sweatshirt, to this very day

It was so SO SOOOOOOO cool   I say, if you can spend the geech, and they're closeby, DO IT !  

You'll NEVER regret it !  I promise   I wouldn't trade my experience for the world and they can certainly use the money to help keep those old gals in the air !

It's definitely a MUST DO, if you ask me!

Someone should do one of those credit card commercial parodies with this.

My grandfather piloted a B-29 (a SWEET plane) in the Pacific.

Too bad they're not offering any rides on those.

Maybe I'll buy him a ride on the B-17

eta:  Looks like they're already done with the west coast for the year

Sadly there is currently only one flyable B-29 and it's been grounded.

www.commemorativeairforce.org/news/news_details.php?newsid=61

World's Only Flyable B-29 Needs Help to Return to Flight

MIDLAND, TEXAS – (July 10, 2006) – The Commemorative Air Force’s B-29 Fifi – the world’s only flyable B-29 – has been temporarily grounded by engine problems.  To return the rare airplane to flight, the B-29/B-24 Squadron (the group within the CAF tasked with the responsibility and privilege of maintaining and flying the plane) needs to raise a minimum of $3 million to custom fit the plane with new engines that are a more reliable variant of the engine currently on the plane. The process will be expensive and take at least two years, but without it the aircraft will continue to experience the same type of repeated engine problems that have plagued it in the past.  Those wanting more information or wishing to help can call (432) 563-1000, ext. 0 or go to www.commemorativeairforce.org and click on the “Save Fifi” link.

I believe I saw a CC violation

Quoted: I believe I saw a CC violation

Yep, on 'The Dragon and his Tail'… I had a thread locked for posting warbird noseart with a 'cartoon' nipple visble…

ANdy

I still can't imagine being on the top gunners spot on the B-17.
Your head between 2 .50's. Guaranteed deafness.

Quoted: Quoted: Pretty damn cool.  $425 a seat and probably worth it.   - CD Yep.  My Dad crewed on a B-24 in WWII.

So did mine, B-24 Tailgunner. 15thAF, 376thBG, 512thBS. "BAD PENNY" was one of the birds he crewed on.

BTW- He is still alive and kicking! This summer we went fishing everywhere from the Florida Straits to Alaska. I am a firm believer that Heaven ain't prepared for him and Hell is too afraid he'll take over!

Whether you take the ride or not, just seeing -- and HEARING -- those two (17 & 25) flying formation to and from the air field is quite a thrill. They visit the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant (adjacent to Palwaukee Airport) in Wheeling, IL semi-regularly.

Quoted: Quoted: I believe I saw a CC violation Yep, on 'The Dragon and his Tail'… I had a thread locked for posting warbird noseart with a 'cartoon' nipple visble… ANdy

OK, that's PC to the extreme.  Must have been a n00b mod, right?

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I believe I saw a CC violation Yep, on 'The Dragon and his Tail'… I had a thread locked for posting warbird noseart with a 'cartoon' nipple visble… ANdy OK, that's PC to the extreme.  Must have been a n00b mod, right?

IM outbound…