On 11 May 2007 08:05:30 -0700, wrote in
.com:

See newspaper story and video at:

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/175617.html

I had an opportunity to explore the CAF's "Sentimental Journey" at
KSBA a few weeks ago. A local WW-II veteran was also there reliving
his experiences of 22 bombing missions over Germany.

Don Detwiler (sp?) was the operator of the belly mounted ball-turret
when his flight was downed over Hanover (or was it Hamburg). His
parachute landing injured his ankle, and he was taken prisoner. Don
told us of some of the "hi lights" of that experience, and what it was
like to be strapped upside down for eight hours (B-17 cruise speed was
158 knots) with the breach of a 50 cal machine gun next to each ear.
He pointed out a small tube on the turret where the empty brass
casings used to be ejected to keep them from filling the cramped
turret. The other B-17 gunners had to recover their spent casings
when they landed.

The CAF really needs to tape the oral histories of these living
repositories of aviation history before they're gone. A
videographer/historian team with a HD camcorder would be even better,
and probably marketable.

The Commemorative Air Force also need to do a significantly better job
of advertising their activities to the local populace. I was barely
able to find them. They need some big banner signs along the highway
to draw the families and enthusiasts. Here's an opportunity for a PR
firm that needs a tax deduction.