B-17 ride in Galveston

Just got back form a B-17 ride at the Lone Star Flight Museum in
Galveston. It was a Christmas present from my thoughtful wife, Susan. I'd
mentioned that they were selling rides to the public a few months back, and
she arranged one for me as a surprise.

For a lifelong fan of WWII aviation, it was the ride of a lifetime. The
sound of the four Wright Cyclones was like a symphony of power. The swoops
and curces of the aluminum body work was like art deco compared to the
designs of today. There were four other passengers on the flight, and after
takeoff we were allowed to roam pretty freely. I started off in the radio
compartment in the waist. As I headed forward, I couldn't believe how narrow
the walkway through the bomb bay was - if I hadn't lost 20 pounds lately, I
flat would not have been able to get through it. As it was, I was afraid
that I'd get stuck, but, fortune favors the brave - I managed to squeeze
through. The entire plane was a lot smaller inside than movies or TV would
make you think - at 5'11'', I could only stand up in a couple of spots.

Got all the way forward into the bombardier's compartment. Looking out at
Galveston, I imagined it was Schweinfurt and I was looking for the ball
bearing factories. Up there with me was a youngish guy, and an 80-ish
fellow. During the pax safety briefing, the pilot had asked if anyone had
ever been on a B-17 before. This elderly gent raised his hand, a twinkle in
his eye. The pilot smiled and asked "how many times", seeing what was
coming...the old timer said, "35 missions worth". He'd been a B-17 crew
member and had toured Germany extensively from the air, during the 40s,
courtesy of the 8th Air Force. The crew treated him like the hero he was,
and I felt fortunate to be able to hear his first hand stories while
actually flying on the plane with him. When the other guy up there with us
said he felt lucky to have gotten to take the ride, the old timer replied
that he felt lucky just to be alive. It was good to see him enjoying the
flight just as much if not more than us newbies.

Soon enough the ride was over - seeing the numbers float up from the
bombardier's perch was a treat. We flared and floated in soft as a feather
for a bit, then the gear thumped home with authority and we taxied back to
the museum.

It was a bit pricey, at $400.00 - but, if you're a fan of that period of
aviation, you'd agree it was money well spent. With only a handful still
flying, it's an opportunity I was glad to have.
--
Lee K. Gleason N5ZMR
Control-G Consultants

"Lee K. Gleason" wrote in
:

Just got back form a B-17 ride at the Lone Star Flight Museum in
Galveston. It was a Christmas present from my thoughtful wife, Susan.
I'd mentioned that they were selling rides to the public a few months
back, and she arranged one for me as a surprise.

For a lifelong fan of WWII aviation, it was the ride of a lifetime.
The
sound of the four Wright Cyclones was like a symphony of power. The
swoops and curces of the aluminum body work was like art deco compared
to the designs of today. There were four other passengers on the
flight, and after takeoff we were allowed to roam pretty freely. I
started off in the radio compartment in the waist. As I headed
forward, I couldn't believe how narrow the walkway through the bomb
bay was - if I hadn't lost 20 pounds lately, I flat would not have
been able to get through it. As it was, I was afraid that I'd get
stuck, but, fortune favors the brave - I managed to squeeze through.
The entire plane was a lot smaller inside than movies or TV would make
you think - at 5'11'', I could only stand up in a couple of spots.

Got all the way forward into the bombardier's compartment. Looking
out at
Galveston, I imagined it was Schweinfurt and I was looking for the
ball bearing factories. Up there with me was a youngish guy, and an
80-ish fellow. During the pax safety briefing, the pilot had asked if
anyone had ever been on a B-17 before. This elderly gent raised his
hand, a twinkle in his eye. The pilot smiled and asked "how many
times", seeing what was coming...the old timer said, "35 missions
worth". He'd been a B-17 crew member and had toured Germany
extensively from the air, during the 40s, courtesy of the 8th Air
Force. The crew treated him like the hero he was, and I felt fortunate
to be able to hear his first hand stories while actually flying on the
plane with him. When the other guy up there with us said he felt
lucky to have gotten to take the ride, the old timer replied that he
felt lucky just to be alive. It was good to see him enjoying the
flight just as much if not more than us newbies.

Soon enough the ride was over - seeing the numbers float up from the
bombardier's perch was a treat. We flared and floated in soft as a
feather for a bit, then the gear thumped home with authority and we
taxied back to the museum.

It was a bit pricey, at $400.00 - but, if you're a fan of that
period of
aviation, you'd agree it was money well spent. With only a handful
still flying, it's an opportunity I was glad to have.

Sounds cheap at twice the price, really.


Bertie

Hi,

In article ,
Bertie the wrote:
It was a bit pricey, at $400.00 - but, if you're a fan of that
period of
aviation, you'd agree it was money well spent. With only a handful
still flying, it's an opportunity I was glad to have.

Sounds cheap at twice the price, really.

My thoughts exactly. What price can you put on getting your own little piece
of history like that?

Andy

Andy Hawkins wrote in
:

Hi,

In article ,
Bertie the wrote:
It was a bit pricey, at $400.00 - but, if you're a fan of that
period of
aviation, you'd agree it was money well spent. With only a handful
still flying, it's an opportunity I was glad to have.

Sounds cheap at twice the price, really.

My thoughts exactly. What price can you put on getting your own little
piece of history like that?


having said that, I have a standing invite to fly a jet warbird prividing I
put fuel in it. About $1,000/hour last time I talked to him..

Hi,

In article ,
Bertie the wrote:
having said that, I have a standing invite to fly a jet warbird prividing I
put fuel in it. About $1,000/hour last time I talked to him..

I'll take 6 minute's worth

Andy

"Lee K. Gleason" wrote in message
. ..
Just got back form a B-17 ride at the Lone Star Flight Museum in
Galveston. It was a Christmas present from my thoughtful wife, Susan. I'd
mentioned that they were selling rides to the public a few months back, and
she arranged one for me as a surprise.

For a lifelong fan of WWII aviation, it was the ride of a lifetime. The
sound of the four Wright Cyclones was like a symphony of power. The swoops
and curces of the aluminum body work was like art deco compared to the
designs of today. There were four other passengers on the flight, and after
takeoff we were allowed to roam pretty freely. I started off in the radio
compartment in the waist. As I headed forward, I couldn't believe how narrow
the walkway through the bomb bay was - if I hadn't lost 20 pounds lately, I
flat would not have been able to get through it. As it was, I was afraid
that I'd get stuck, but, fortune favors the brave - I managed to squeeze
through. The entire plane was a lot smaller inside than movies or TV would
make you think - at 5'11'', I could only stand up in a couple of spots.

Got all the way forward into the bombardier's compartment. Looking out at
Galveston, I imagined it was Schweinfurt and I was looking for the ball
bearing factories. Up there with me was a youngish guy, and an 80-ish
fellow. During the pax safety briefing, the pilot had asked if anyone had
ever been on a B-17 before. This elderly gent raised his hand, a twinkle in
his eye. The pilot smiled and asked "how many times", seeing what was
coming...the old timer said, "35 missions worth". He'd been a B-17 crew
member and had toured Germany extensively from the air, during the 40s,
courtesy of the 8th Air Force. The crew treated him like the hero he was,
and I felt fortunate to be able to hear his first hand stories while
actually flying on the plane with him. When the other guy up there with us
said he felt lucky to have gotten to take the ride, the old timer replied
that he felt lucky just to be alive. It was good to see him enjoying the
flight just as much if not more than us newbies.

Soon enough the ride was over - seeing the numbers float up from the
bombardier's perch was a treat. We flared and floated in soft as a feather
for a bit, then the gear thumped home with authority and we taxied back to
the museum.

It was a bit pricey, at $400.00 - but, if you're a fan of that period of
aviation, you'd agree it was money well spent. With only a handful still
flying, it's an opportunity I was glad to have.
--
Lee K. Gleason N5ZMR
Control-G Consultants


Great story. Do they still tour with it? If so, does anyone have the URL for their tour
schedule? I missed one years ago and have regretted it ever since.

Andy Hawkins wrote in
:

Hi,

In article ,
Bertie the wrote:
having said that, I have a standing invite to fly a jet warbird
prividing I put fuel in it. About $1,000/hour last time I talked to
him..

I'll take 6 minute's worth

Wouldn't get you to the end of the runway!

I really must do it his year. I'll be kicking myself if I don't


Bertie

Hi,

In article ,
Bertie the wrote:
I'll take 6 minute's worth

Wouldn't get you to the end of the runway!

Ok, I guess I could stretch to a whole circuit. Count me in

Andy

Andy Hawkins wrote in
:

Hi,

In article ,
Bertie the wrote:
I'll take 6 minute's worth

Wouldn't get you to the end of the runway!

Ok, I guess I could stretch to a whole circuit. Count me in


there's a few people in the UK doing stuff like this, but it's probably
outrageously expensive because of the fuel costs there.
There's on two seat spitfire that used to do rides and a couple of others
that have jump seats ( which , apparently, is slightly ahdead of the pilot
and in his crotch!) And there's a couple of people who do warbird rides or
checkouts in the US.
I coulda gone in a Mustang years ago for about 50 bucks for an hour! Seemed
expensive at the time.

Doh!

Bertie

"Andy Hawkins" wrote

Ok, I guess I could stretch to a whole circuit. Count me in

That wouldn't do. g

That would be like having the chance to have sex, not having had it for many
years, and being in your prime, still.

Then, you get to take off your and her clothes, see and and touch her for
two seconds, and then leave. ;-)

A jet ride with some high powered accelleration and climb, some rolls and
steep turns pulling a bunch of G's, and perhaps a few other aerobatic
maneuvers would be the minnimum, I would want if I got a ride in a fighter
jet. Anything less, and I think I would want to just forget it.

I got a ride in a B-17 a few years ago, too. It was an experience I'll
never forget, too.

The thing that struck me, was how exposed the brave men flying into battle
truely were. There is only a thin layer of alluminum and your flack jacket
between you and a bunch of people wanting to kill you.

I don't think it ever struck me to that extent, until I got to actually fly
in it.
--
Jim in NC