Want to ride in a B-17, 24, or a 25?

[splitshot]

Avra Valley Airport (I guess it's Marana Regional now), has all three on display thru Sunday and giving 30 minute rides for just $425. I'll try to post some pics later.

Marana, AZ - Official Website - Airport

 

[KingBeeIII]

Dibs on being the belly-gunner!!!!

 

[inkpot]

Yea, but for $425 ya gotta bring your own bullets! John

 

[KingBeeIII]

If I had an extra $425, I'd spend it on my Cruiser. But it sure would be a fun flight.

 

[splitshot]

X2, on spending it on the cruiser..

Dropped in on my lunch break, how come I always get chicken skin when I'm around these things?

Here's the Mitchell:
Check out the artistry

 

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Here's the Liberator

 

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And the 17..

 

[inkpot]

Howdy! In 1976, I was in Colorado Springs for the 4th of July air show, put on by the Confederate Air Force. That 200th aniversery air show was fantabulous!! They came in with a B-24? and did a 5000 ft touch and go on one landing gear! That's got to be the steadiest set of flaps and rudders I've ever seen. John

 

[splitshot]

#1 is were the nose gunner location on the 17.
#2 is looking toward the tail gunner on the 24.

I wonder if all three go up when they are giving rides

 

[splitshot]

Howdy! In 1976, I was in Colorado Springs for the 4th of July air show, put on by the Confederate Air Force. That 200th aniversery air show was fantabulous!! They came in with a B-24? and did a 5000 ft touch and go on one landing gear! That's got to be the steadiest set of flaps and rudders I've ever seen. John

John, you snuck one in on me
I love the sound of those Pratt and Whitneys when they go over.

 

[inkpot]

John, you snuck one in on me
I love the sound of those Pratt and Whitneys when they go over.

Yea, it was a hellofa show. They even did a one engine fly-by, straight as an arrow, well, I guess they were tacking at a bit of an angle. There were hundreds of ground display planes too. Every military and civilian plane I have ever seen. We were there from sunrise to sunset, drinkin beer and lookin at planes. Dems da good ol dayz!! Somewhere, buried in a closet, a have a couple hundred slides I took that day. John

 

[hj60]

From wikipedia:
On this day...
April 18th

1942 – World War II: Sixteen B-25 Mitchell bombers from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet carried out the Doolittle Raid, the first Allied attack on the Japanese home islands.

Timing is everything, no?

 

[FJ40LVR]

Dems da good ol dayz!! Somewhere, buried in a closet, a have a couple hundred slides I took that day. John

Slides? What are these "Slides" that you refer to? Some sort of ancient visual recording devices?

 

[KingBeeIII]

Slides? What are these "Slides" that you refer to? Some sort of ancient visual recording devices?

No, it's what your power animal in your power cave does. "Slide"

 

[inkpot]

Slides? What are these "Slides" that you refer to? Some sort of ancient visual recording devices?

Actually, these were part of a system that allowed me to display the family snapshots in a large enough format to cover the entire living room wall. I could even change pictures on a moment's notice. Sort of like a monster sized flat panel display. Quite hi tech, you know?? The Smithsonian has been after me for years to donate them. John

 

[lx450landcruiser]

about 5 years ago i went up in the Sentimental journey (b-17) Took off from love field in Prescott. I was in the nose on take off, the end of that runway came up real quick. I didnt think we were going to get off in time. Killer experience to say the least. Might as well take a ride now they wont be flying forever.

 

[JONNYFJ]

An amazing airframe the 17 is. I was lucky enough to get to work on a B29 (Fifi) out in midland texas. If you ever get a chance to she her look under the wings there is 28 panels 14 on each side, they house the fuel cells I put them in her, an man it was a B**CH. The pilot took me up after we were done. I got a chance to ride in the tail gun, what a cool experience. You are right though they will not be flying forever. I believe that Fifi is the last flying B29. Its a damn shame.

 

[splitshot]

From wikipedia:
On this day...
April 18th

1942 – World War II: Sixteen B-25 Mitchell bombers from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet carried out the Doolittle Raid, the first Allied attack on the Japanese home islands.

Timing is everything, no?

How ironic, Doolittle came to mind when I peeked inside.

Some original photos of the raid leaving the Hornet.

 

[splitshot]

From wikipedia:
On this day...
April 18th

1942 – World War II: Sixteen B-25 Mitchell bombers from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet carried out the Doolittle Raid, the first Allied attack on the Japanese home islands.

Timing is everything, no?

Doolittle did come to mind when I was peeking inside. I didn't even think on checking the date, how ironic. Thanks

Some original photos of the raid leaving the Hornet..