As a former B17 combat pilot the tratment that I receive when flying on commercial airlines is unusual. Last week on a flight on a 737 after being seated, the loading was slow. I asked the cabin attendant if I could speak with the flight crew. When I told the pilots of my B17 backgroud they were very enthusistic, and asked me many questions, they also explained in detail, what they did thoughout the flight. After I returned to my seat the cabin attendant invited me to sit in business class.
About a year ago on an invited trip to Italy, I flew on Al Italia from Miami to Milan and return. After the seat belt sign went off, I asked the cabin attendabnt to ask the Captain if I could gp to the flight deck. Inspite of 9/11 I was invited to the cockpit of the 747, both going and returning. The crew asked me more questions then I asked of them.
Prior to 9/11 on manytrips overseas, on many different airlines, other then U.S. airlines, I have always been able to get to the flight deck and spend some time with the pilots. It has always been an enjoyable experience.
By: stevfire2 - 1st June 2012 at 20:55
flew low over wycombe air park tonight, heading north at 17.30. 🙂
By: Dobbins - 1st June 2012 at 19:39
You mean Welwyn Garden City?
By: PeterW - 1st June 2012 at 16:08
She’s at RAF Odiham for their family day.
By: Tropic Thunder - 1st June 2012 at 13:45
this thread might help
By: Jules Horowitz - 10th November 2008 at 18:05
Dave
Still kicking. I just visited my cardiologist, he said that he didn’t know about my body, but my heart was good for another 15 years.
By: Jules Horowitz - 10th November 2008 at 18:00
Hi Jules,
Weren’t you also on WIX?
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/
Thanks
Jules
By: laviticus - 10th November 2008 at 10:22
Hi jules ,good to hear from you again hope your well.
dave
By: mhuxt - 10th November 2008 at 02:34
Hi Jules:
Googled you and got hits at the folowing forums (fora?):
Did you know the French appear to have named a nuclear research reactor after you? Congratulations.
By: Fouga23 - 9th November 2008 at 23:37
Hi Jules,
Weren’t you also on WIX?
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/
By: Moggy C - 9th November 2008 at 23:02
Well you found the most important one Jules 🙂
Presumably you have researched the ones directly related to your wartime unit?
Moggy
By: Pete Truman - 9th August 2007 at 17:31
Pete,
Yes, I’ve been to the UK 6-7 times and enjoyed each trip. My last trip was several years ago. I visited an aircraft museum ,I believe it was south of the river, can’t remember the name. I wish I could visit again but my past surgery and infection took a lot out of me, I’m glad that I’m still around and kicking.
Perhaps next year you’ll be up and running, my D-Day vet father was like a caged tiger at 88 till the poor old boy tripped over the doorstep and broke his neck, a very sad death of a loveable hero, we really miss him, he was such a character.
I would be quite prepared to drive you round to a few spots, see how you feel.
By: Jules Horowitz - 8th August 2007 at 23:09
Mr Horowitz,
Sir, I have not been on the forum as long as your thread has been around, so Im glad it came back to the front page as it has given me a chance to read through it several times in the last 24 hours.
Before I go any further, I wish to express my sincere thanks for everything you and friends went through in order to bring an end to the horrific conflict that you found yourselves in.
I do have one question, and I hope from the bottom of my heart that I do not cause you any offence by it, if I do, then please say so and I will remove this following part:
With everything you and your friends sacrificed, how do you feel knowing that we still havent learned from those mistakes and we are still continuing to fight wars across the world?
Bex
Bex.
No offence taken. Sadly it’s true. I don’t recall the expression exactly but it’s something like this —-those that don’t read history are destined to repeat it. Another thought, if all the politicians and leaders were put into an arena and told to fight it out, I think that wars might be eliminated
By: Jules Horowitz - 8th August 2007 at 22:55
Yes, now you’re in tip top health, would it be possible for you to come over to Legends at Duxford next year, there’s a chance of 2 B-17’s, and at least 1 Lancaster, you’ll enjoy the American Aircraft Museum and you’ll probably be treated like royalty, I’m sure quite a few of us on here would be pleased to meet you, go on, treat yourself to a trip to the UK.
Have you ever been over here incidentally.
Pete,
Yes, I’ve been to the UK 6-7 times and enjoyed each trip. My last trip was several years ago. I visited an aircraft museum ,I believe it was south of the river, can’t remember the name. I wish I could visit again but my past surgery and infection took a lot out of me, I’m glad that I’m still around and kicking.
By: bexWH773 - 3rd August 2007 at 10:37
Mr Horowitz,
Sir, I have not been on the forum as long as your thread has been around, so Im glad it came back to the front page as it has given me a chance to read through it several times in the last 24 hours.
Before I go any further, I wish to express my sincere thanks for everything you and friends went through in order to bring an end to the horrific conflict that you found yourselves in.
I do have one question, and I hope from the bottom of my heart that I do not cause you any offence by it, if I do, then please say so and I will remove this following part:
With everything you and your friends sacrificed, how do you feel knowing that we still havent learned from those mistakes and we are still continuing to fight wars across the world?
Bex
By: adrian_gray - 3rd August 2007 at 09:42
Coincidentally, a report appeared just the other day in the Ringing World about the dedication of a new bell at Parham, Suffolk, to the men who flew from there during WW2. I’m not sure why it took so long to appear, as it happened over a year ago – as you can tell by the sunny photos! – but two related links here:
http://www.390th.org/bulletin/fall2006/AReturnToParham.htm
http://www.390th.org/bulletin/fall2006/ParhamVisit.htm
You can add me to the list of people who’d like to meet you – if everyone buys a pint, you may have enough beer on the bar to see you out!
Adrian
By: Pete Truman - 2nd August 2007 at 16:51
Yes, now you’re in tip top health, would it be possible for you to come over to Legends at Duxford next year, there’s a chance of 2 B-17’s, and at least 1 Lancaster, you’ll enjoy the American Aircraft Museum and you’ll probably be treated like royalty, I’m sure quite a few of us on here would be pleased to meet you, go on, treat yourself to a trip to the UK.
Have you ever been over here incidentally.
By: Jules Horowitz - 2nd August 2007 at 15:31
b17
Any further questions, fire away.
By: Jules Horowitz - 27th January 2007 at 21:14
Happy new year to you Jules – glad to hear that all your systems are on the road to recovery.
I hope the Collings foundation has sorted out its permits by now – Its a great way of funding these aircraft to fly and therefore educates the young of today into what it was all about!
It would be great to allow B17 passenger flights in the UK but the costs of certification would, I expect, outway all the benefits – Also your gas is a lot cheaper than ours!
I had the pleasure of seeing the Collings duo a few years back and last Feb I got to meet some B17 vets who were docents on B17 Miss Angela at Palmsprings. Great stuff!
I had a flight on a B17 a few years back in the UK and I was amazed at how close all the US bases were (we flew over many 8th Airforce bases). On large bombing missions I expect there was an amazing amount of pilot overload just trying to avoid other aircraft in the form ups – let alone the rest of the trip?
The Collings B17, B24 and B25 will be at 2 local airports next week, on their annual circuit. I’ll be at the B17 acting as a docent, as I’ve done for the last approx 18 years.
I’m glad that I didn’t have the problem that the UK pilot’s had in forming up to go on missions. I know that there were many accidents.
By: Jules Horowitz - 26th January 2007 at 01:46
Dear Sir Horowitz,
Can you make little favour to me and visit the following link
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=47331
I believe you can help us a lot with your knowledge
Thank you
JeT
I’m sorry getting back to you this late, but I can’t help you. During my tour I passed over Yogoslavia many times, but I have no answers for you.
By: Jules Horowitz - 7th January 2007 at 17:20
Great story skipper and a great question too,in the stress of combat rituals must have been very common.
dave
I recall heing told by the waist gunners that if they had need for a BM, they would use the box that contained the 50 cal ammo, which was about 5”X26″.
It was generally opened with pliers since it had a metal liner adjacent to the wooden sides. Trying to do your “thing” into a moving, narrow wooden box with jagged metal was quite a feat. I wonder if anyone put in for a Purple Heart for using the ammo box.
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August 26, 2005 at 5:37 pm