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B17 and B24 over my house

Discussion in '☆☆ New Recruits ☆☆' started by nachtjager61, Jun 28, 2010.

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  1. nachtjager61

    nachtjager61 Member

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    Saturday I was sitting in my yard here in Seattle and I was reading the book called "The Mighty Eighth" about the US bomber campaign in Europe. As I am reading I hear a rumbling above from what sounded like a big 4 engine plane. I look up and flying low (a couple of hundred feet) right over me is a B17 bomber, wish I had my camera. Then about an hour later I hear the noise again, when I look up this time there is a B24 flying the same direction and very low right over me. Still wish I had my camera! Well I guess there must have been a show or something down at Boeing Field. As it turns out all day long the 2 bombers kept flying real low over my house and I got some very good looks at them. I looked online to see what was going on and I think they were offering rides in the planes for around $300 or $400 and I was wishing I had the cash to spare to go for a ride in one of those big old bombers.
    I did think it was extremely unbelievable that I am reading a book about the bombers and two of them fly low right over me at the same time that I am reading the book.
    I wish I would have known about the event so I could have gone there and taken photos of the two bombers and taken a tour of them, would have been some great photo opportunities.
     
  2. ULITHI

    ULITHI Ace

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    Isn't it one of the greatest feelings in the world to see them fly above your house, especially when your not expecting them?

    They did some flights with a 17 back a few years ago here in my town, and I was outside working in the yard. It flew over me like six times. It was the only time I think I really enjoyed pulling weeds!

    Great story though, thanks for sharing!
     
  3. brndirt1

    brndirt1 Saddle Tramp

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    Those pics I use in my avatar sometimes are from one of those deals, that was when the B-17 named Sentimental Journey stopped in Billings for one of those tours coupled with our airshow. I couldn't afford the trip this time, but when Aluminum Overcast had stopped here a few years before, I wasn't quite as broke and I took a flight on it. In fact the one I'm using now is looking out the cockpit windshield of the B-17 I toured and did get pics of. I'll put the others I do have of it on the bottom.

    Speaking of cameras, the reason I don't have pics of the Aluminum Overcast B-17 is because while I was signing the insurance waivers and getting instructions from the guys who would be giving the flight, I set my little Vivitar down on the table and didn't remember to pick it up until the flight was underway! I searched my pockets, no camera. And when I got back to the flight line, it was gone. So no pics.

    It was still a great flight experience. The interior smallness of those big bombers was a shock to myself. At about 6'3" I was forever bending over to move around at all, and did manage to bonk my noggin a couple of times.
     

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  4. ULITHI

    ULITHI Ace

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    Aluminum Overcast is a beauty! I got to see that one when It came out here back in 2002 or so. I got some great pics as well.

    There was one I visited when I was in high school called "Texas Raiders". Don't know if that one is still flying or not.
     
  5. Krystal80

    Krystal80 Member

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    That would be an experience to ride in one! WOW! I'm not sure if they doing anything like that here in Wyoming. I might have to check around.
     
  6. brndirt1

    brndirt1 Saddle Tramp

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    Here is some information, and it includes the Wyoming area, at least the Casper area next month.

    Goto:

    Wings of Freedom Schedule - The Collings Foundation

    There are other aread around Wyoming that you might be able to reach as well, some in Colorado, Oregon and Kansas.
     

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