Flying in a Classic Aircraft.

[blanston12]

Every so often the Collings Foundation comes around with what they are calling this year, the 'Wings of Freedom Tour', where they have a B-17, B-24, B-25 and a TF-51D Mustang and they will let you tour them and they also give rides in them, well this year, instead of learning about it by watching them fly out of town, read about it in advance and was able to book a spot on a flight of there B-17G, here are a couple pics from my day at Moffett Federal Airfield in Mountain View California.


B-24J Flying overhead.


B-17G Taxing in.


B-17G Coming in to park.


B-24J Landing.


B-24J Coming in to park.


TF-51 Mustang Landing.


TF-51 Mustang Parked.


TF-51 Mustang Taking off


Flying in the B-17, looking out the top window in the radio room, it was open and yes my head is really sticking outside the airplane.


Flying in the B-17, The cockpit.


Flying in the B-17, Looking through the bombadier's window.


Flying in the B-17, bombadier's compartment looking at the right engines.


Flying in the B-17, bombadier's compartment looking at the left engines.


Flying in the B-17, Dorsel turret looking aft.


Flying in the B-17, Dorsel turrent looking left.


Flying in the B-17, Port side waist gunners window.


B-25 Taking off.


B-25 Flying overhead.


This is the coolest non-aircraft I saw there. This is Hanger one at Moffett field, it was built for the in the 1930's for the US Navy Airship USS Macon. The skin of the hanger was full of asbestos and other toxic stuff and has been removed pending restoration, this is what it looked like today.

I am sorry I posted so many, I tried hard to pair down from the 600+ pics I took, this is a low as I could.

[airboatr]

Nice!
The same outfit comes to Florida. It's always a pleasure to see them. From the outside .. on the tarmac...

Anyway

600 Pictures ? Any video?

[blanston12]

I did do a few video's. I will see if I can upload one or two.

[DaveG]

Very nice, thanks for sharing. Must have been a great experience.

[blanston12]

Here are a couple youtube links, could not figure out how to embed them.

https://youtu.be/HcIl8g7q52M

https://youtu.be/W1TIB_6ZU14

[DaveB]

What an excellent day out Joe and you had great weather for it too

How many went up in the B-17 with you?
ATB
DaveB

[511Flyer]

What a great day that must have been, and one that will last in the memory for ever. Thanks for posting the photos.

In one of the shots, the pilot doesn't appear to have his feet on the rudder pedals. I'm wondering why?

Den.

[Airspeed]

What an experience for you! Personally, didn't think there were too many posted.
I'd have chosen the B17G too.
Thanks for sharing, Joe, glad you got some interior shots, they are special!

[blanston12]

Thanks for all the comments, in response:

How many went up in the B-17 with you?

There were ten of us inside the B-17, we could go anywhere except the tail gun and lower ball turret (both for obvious reasons).

In one of the shots, the pilot doesn't appear to have his feet on the rudder pedals. I'm wondering why?

I had not noticed that. I suppose the other pilot was flying at that time.

I'd have chosen the B17G too.

The B-17 was my first choice also and I was fortunate in that when I called they said "all we have is one spot left on the B-17", which immediately took. (Score!)

One word of warning they gave us, when in the plane walking around if we ever need to grab on to something, don't grab onto the cables running along the top of the aircraft, because then we will be flying the aircraft instead of the pilot, and the pilot will not be happy about that.

[DaveB]

Cheers Joe

ATB
DaveB