CAF Mesa Batch 1 [01/42] - CAF Mesa Batch 1 Index 1.jpg (0/1)

[Indrek]

Here are some images taken last November at the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in Mesa. The museum is relatively small but it has some interesting exhibits.

When threading my way round the interior of the B-17 it struck me how cramped it is despite the size of the aircraft. It must have been an uncomfortable beast to fly in. It would have been bitterly cold at 20,000ft, incredibly noisy and during WWII having to deal with the ever present danger of enemy fighters and flak. One has to admire the men who flew during that time.

Cheers

Indrek Aavisto

Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Indrek" > wrote

> When threading my way round the interior of the B-17 it struck me how
> cramped it is despite the size of the aircraft. It must have been an
> uncomfortable beast to fly in. It would have been bitterly cold at
> 20,000ft, incredibly noisy and during WWII having to deal with the ever
> present danger of enemy fighters and flak. One has to admire the men who
> flew during that time.

Having ridden in one of a ferry flight from one stop to the next (EAA) I
can assure you there are all of that, except we didn't go high enough to be
cold and it was summer.

My thought while thinking about flack ripping through aluminum not much
thicker than older beer cans, was that they had grreaat big balls, for sure.
It was also one of the coolest things I have ever done. Spend the money to
do a ride, if you get the chance.
--
Jim in NC