Fathers Day Gift....

[Jay Hilliard]

Very cool. Please take PICS!

[Diognes56]

Enjoy .

David

[trapin]

That's pretty damn cool, Jeff.

I love those old WWII planes. My Great Uncle Frank was a belly gunner on one of those things and took schrapnel in his thigh. I think it was a B-17 or another plane similar too it. Anyway, my dad took him down to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to see the plane he flew on just before he died and the old guy broke down when he saw it. Hell of war that was.

[69Nova]

Thats so cool. You get to fly in something with so much history and experiences. Take alot of pictures.

[71Nova]

V8TV The B17 in the pictures I put up I believe is owned by the Planes of fame museum at Chino CA airport. They own alot of warbirds. there are more warbirds at Chino than anywhere else in the world. They also have owned several Reno air race teams.

David

[Musclerodz]

Originally Posted by V8TV

Who / what is the organization with the B17? I'd love more info!

The CAF or Confederate Air Force I believe operates the "Yankee Rose". They have a couple of them that tour the country giving rides.

Mike

[61Bubbletop]

Originally Posted by V8TV

Who / what is the organization with the B17? I'd love more info!

The B-17G "Yankee Lady" that I wll be flying in was restored and maintained by the Yankee Air Museum out of Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ironically, also on the grounds is the GM Powertrain Willow Run Plant, which is one that will be manufacturing the new 6 speed autos, as well as serving as our Transmission Engineering headquarters. ( I get to visit often) The plant at that time (40's) was converted over and built B-25 bombers for the war effort. Unfortunately, in 2004 the museum had an electrical fire (it was housed in one of the original wooden hangers) that destroyed countless irreplaceable objects from WW2, several people at the airport who witnessed what was happening rushed into the hanger and got the B17, a B-25 and a C-47 out before they could be damaged, but the rest of the place pretty much burned to the ground. Including a few unflyable aircraft under resto. Quite a tragedy...Today, they are still operating out of a loaned hanger on the grounds, fortunately, in addition to the planes saved in the hanger, many outside on static display were not harmed (including a B-52, that is a BIG plane)...They are a non-profit entity, and donations to rebuild the museum are tax-deductable.

You can read more about the museum here

Yankee Air Museum

They have a fantastic airshow in August "Thunder over Michigan"...Mostly WW2 aircraft...I am so glad there are people out there who conserve and cherish these most important relics of our nations history for future generations, like my 5 year old son...they are truly a sight to behold (and hear!) in person. Bless our men and women who kept, and continue to keep, this country free and safe for those future generations

Thunder Over Michigan Show



71Nova, Great pictures, Thank you.


J.T.

[67Sally]

I paid for a ride in one of these birds (actually I paid to be dropped out of the bomb bay doors so technically I only paid for the take off and not the landing) but it was a no show due to weather. Skydiving is another one of my addictions and dropping out of the bomb bay doors is still on my list of flights that I want to take.
W.

[trapin]

Jeff...did you take any pics? How was it?