Trip Report – B17

I may drop in on my way to/from Compton Abbas on Sunday – I’ll look out for you and/or your stand.

I do recall a Popham cap somewhere and I did mean to ask about it, as it is my local airfield and am a regular visitor there with a sales stand for a local aviation society. (hope to be there this Sunday wx permitting)

yes I was – Lamers 876 was the bus number with Beth as the driver. (small world)!

That’s the one – small world indeed! My Popham baseball cap should have given a clue…

Glad you like them stormbird – they turned out better than I thought they would considering the vibration

COOOO WEEEEE!!!!

Mr Paul C, you are one of the Few!!:eek:

YOU LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY B@STARD!!!!!:dev2: 😉

Thank you so much for such magic photo’s mate 😀

I’ve been sittin here countin the rivet’s!!

Very very nice Paul, were ya lookin out for 109’s and 190’s, or even a Yank 262.

Thank’s again mate, they are awesome.

My puter nearly crapped it self, and had to refresh about 6 time’s to see all the pic’s…

Well worth the wait.

Best regard to ya Paul 😉 .

Ooooooo Roooooo.

Gromit,

yes I was – Lamers 876 was the bus number with Beth as the driver. (small world)!

Gromit,

I was on the 11.15 flight on the Wednesday. Were you part of an organised tour as I was and had another group join up with us during the week for 3 days?

Yes, I was part of a North-West Ontario tour (Norseman Festival at Red Lake etc.) which joined with a party already at Oshkosh for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the show. Were you on our School Bus with Beth as driver?

agree with your comment – it is only a hatch above radio operator location as there would not have been a mid upper turret there. Cannot confirm if the top turret at the front is a real one. (would it be mid upper as it is not in the centre of the fuselage like the BBMF Lancaster).

I think the upper turret (no further specification needed) is a mock-up as there’s no ‘bits’ visible through the glazing, and nothing between the flight-deck and fuselage like the ammunition, mounting etc.

Only mildly envious. 😉

JDK,

agree with your comment – it is only a hatch above radio operator location as there would not have been a mid upper turret there. Cannot confirm if the top turret at the front is a real one. (would it be mid upper as it is not in the centre of the fuselage like the BBMF Lancaster).

Bob,

one of the others did exactly that – gave us a good laugh 🙂

The temptation to grab one of those 50’s and go DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA must have been quite strong…:D:D :dev2: 😀 😮 :diablo: 🙂 :rolleyes: :p 😉 😎 :diablo:

The aircraft does not have a mid upper turret, just a hatch which was removed for the pleasure flights. It does allow a great view rearwards and sideways along the wing. (no loose items such a sunglasses / hats etc can be worn here as the slipstream will remove them very efficiently)

Just a minor point – there’s a replica(?) mid upper fitted in your photos, in the standard position, just aft of the cockpit. The open hatch you refer to is the radio operator’s hatch, which was never fitted with a turret on standard B-17s, although sometimes a flexibly mounted single gun was mounted there.

Sounds like a great experience!

It is certainly differant than your LCC Airbus or B737 flights.
In another words it is a fantastic experience flying in not only a real aeroplane but one that helped make our world whhat and where it is today.
I have had the experience of flying in the Pink Lady a couple of times around our Island and sitting up from in the nose is really something to talk about.
Long live the B17s of this world.

Gromit,

I was on the 11.15 flight on the Wednesday. Were you part of an organised tour as I was and had another group join up with us during the week for 3 days.

I did the Tri-motor & Bell 47 last year – great fun.

If you want a copy of my pics from the flight let me know.

I was on the Thursday 13:45 flight – superb! I also managed, purely by chance, to be in the nose for the pass over Oshkosh. No more pics as Paul obviously has a better camera than my ‘pocket’ digital but no less an experience for that. (And no, I didn’t use the ear-plugs…)

Being something of a gourmand when it comes to vintage flying, I also flew in the EAA Ford Tri-Motor and in one of three EAA Bell 47Gs that were operating from “Pioneer Airport” opposite the EAA Museum.

My first visit to Oshkosh and, with only time for three full days at the show, a veritable assualt on the senses – I think my feet have just about forgiven me now!

Now that’s a trip report worth writing, thanks.