My experience as a passenger on the restored World War II B-17 bomber was truly remarkable. Also known as the “Aluminum Overcast”, this mighty aircraft holds a Norden bombsight located in the B-17's nose, an installation of waist guns on the walls of the B-17, and a rebuilt radio compartment in the middle of the B-17, including original communications equipment. And of course, the B-17 cockpit is a sight to see with an endless number of buttons, levers and other mechanical devices.
I was able to explore all of these areas of the B-17 Bomber, AKA the “Flying Fortress” and more, as passengers on the plane were allowed roaming access throughout the duration of the B-17 flight, aside from pre-flight take-off/landing. Looking out the B-17's super-sized windows and even through the bottom of the aircraft was overwhelming. It was also quite exciting to see the various bombs up close. I felt privileged and very secure in the B-17, knowing that it can reach 25,000 ft and maintain a speed of around 235 mph for ten hours or more.
With four fierce engines, the noise was pretty intense. Luckily, a pair of earplugs did the trick (which were kindly passed out). I was one of five or so priveleged passengers on the B-17 flight, along with two exceptional pilots (Bob Davis and Michael Hastings), one engineer (Tim Tyler), a safety coordinator (Nick Hursh) and a very hospitable tour guide, Anne-Marie Radel, who also has experience in aircraft racing and piloting. Additionally, I had the pleasure of meeting a couple seasoned veterans - Paul Browne and Wally Roberts.
After the B-17 landing, I felt much serenity and peace of mind. I also felt a deep appreciation for the vital role in winning World War II that this heavy B-17 bomber had, and the history it helped to shape. I would recommend the B-17 flying experience to all, as it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that's sincerely unforgettable.
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