Anyone ridden on a B-17?
May 7, 2018 11:56:32 #
There are only about a dozen airworthy models left in the world. What do you get for ~$400? I'm thinking of pre-ordering a ride on "Aluminum Overcast" (EAA) later this year at Oshkosh and am curious about the experience. The flight slots are apparently 45 min long from boarding to boarding, according to the web page.
May 7, 2018 12:05:24 #
I did this, WOW!! What a ride. Bring your own ear plugs which ear muffs can fit over, those Pratt/Whitney engines are extremely loud. But what a ride!!!
my kids gave this to me as a Father's Day present.
my kids gave this to me as a Father's Day present.
May 7, 2018 12:20:10 #
So it was worth-while? How long did it last? Do they talk about the history of the particular aircraft, etc? The most I've spent for an airplane ride was about 20 min - 1/2 hr of aerobatics in a Pitts S2C for like $200-250 about a dozen years ago at Sun 'n Fun (I arranged a rest period there when I drove a semi). If I fly again (PPL SEL) I'd probably do Light Sport due to health issues...haven't logged an hour in close to 15 yrs, but my brother owns a 182 so occasionally I've gone around the patch with him.
May 7, 2018 12:33:59 #
Our ride lasted about 45 minutes, while the pilots told us about how it was used over Europe, especially Germany. Hard to hear for my old ears, but the ride was still awesome. The vibration was very noticeable. After the ride we stood around the outside of the plane learned about its guns, max load, and how much punishment the plane could take and still fly. Make sure you have vibration reduction on any lens for your camera. Totally worth the money.
I paid $400 for an hour on a helicopter to check out Denali. It is expensive to be a tourist. And never saw Denali from the air due to the clouds hiding it. Still was worth the trip for the photos we took.
I paid $400 for an hour on a helicopter to check out Denali. It is expensive to be a tourist. And never saw Denali from the air due to the clouds hiding it. Still was worth the trip for the photos we took.
May 7, 2018 14:01:07 #
I flew in a B24 and found it to be a wonderful experience. I'm sure the B17 would also be awesome.
May 7, 2018 19:10:35 #
Where did you ride a B-24??? I think I saw some a year or two ago at Oshkosh. I'd love a ride in a Mustang, but I don't have $2 grand laying around!!
May 7, 2018 21:08:28 #
jimcrna
Loc: indiana/florida
his.yes. I flew on a b17 several yrs ago in Houston with the collings foundation. my son was going to flight school and we both enjoy ww II aircraft (p47 thunderbolt is my favorite) so we went to Houston. 30 min flight $400.00 per person..awwsome. plane was named" nine o nine"..pilot perfect. loud but thats what makes it real..sit in the bombardiers seat for a terrific view..then watch the movie "Memphis belle". gives you a sliver of how those kids flew..cant imagine how rough the ride must have been in bad weather, flak,noise etc etc. there was also a f4 phantom available but flight then were 2500/30 min flight. it was robin olds plane. you can google him for history but seems like one hell of a pilot..do it. you'll remember the flight much more than the $$..good luck,jim
May 7, 2018 21:20:06 #
May 7, 2018 23:39:48 #
Bill Munny wrote:
Our ride lasted about 45 minutes, while the pilots... (show quote)
Since you did not get to see Denali, here you go! We had a rare clear day. These were taken at 22,000ft, on oxygen, in a twin motor, six place plane.
May 8, 2018 05:58:44 #
My two brothers and I flew on Aluminum Overcast about 10 years ago at Grand Prairie, Texas airport. NOTHING will ever surpass the experience! I sat in the navigator seat for a while. What a view! Our Dad built Corsairs at Vought during WWII and instilled the love of aviation in us. Last year we flew in the Ford Trimotor, a 1929 craft once owned by Eddie Rickenbacker. It was the plane they used to start Eastern Airlines. If the trimotor is in your area, go for it. Only $75.
May 8, 2018 06:12:49 #
jimcrna wrote:
please post some pics..just do it
Awesome pictures, thanks
May 8, 2018 07:33:13 #
olddutch
Loc: Beloit, Wisconsin
Because of B 25 happens to be my favorite World War II airplane I chose to ride on that it was a tremendous 45 minute flight we got the crawl all around to all gun positions except in the nose and with an imagination you could almost feel how it was for those World War II men that lived and died in the airplanes it was an awesome experience July 21-23 at Janesville, Wisconsin Airport they are having Warbirds Weekend. And offering rides. Enjoy your ride. It is very much worth it.
May 8, 2018 07:39:58 #
My 95 year old (still alive) father-in-law was a radio/gunner in a B-17 during WWII. He was shot down over Yugoslavia in 1943 and was captured by the Germans and was a POW until the camp was liberated at the end of the war. He and my mother-in-law (deceased now) returned to the village where the plane was downed and met some of the people and their descendants that tried to hide the Americans. Some of the guys on my father-in-law's plane were able to escape capture, a couple died and a couple were captured. I don't know how many were in his crew. As the war progressed and planes were shot down, the original crews were broken up so that towards the end of the war, you were flying with men that you didn't know. That was the case here. He didn't know any of the guys.
May 8, 2018 07:54:19 #
These men who saved our country were 18-20 year olds. Amazing.... We owe a debt to them we can never repay. My Father-in Law went ashore on Omaha Beach on D Day. He never spoke of it until a couple years before his death in 2004. He told me but had not told even his wife of 60 years. He became a hero to me. I conducted his funeral and told the attendees , “They don’t give flags to cowards!”
May 8, 2018 08:26:28 #
ole sarg
Loc: south florida
Never ride on a B-17. But, do ride in it!
planepics wrote:
There are only about a dozen airworthy models left in the world. What do you get for ~$400? I'm thinking of pre-ordering a ride on "Aluminum Overcast" (EAA) later this year at Oshkosh and am curious about the experience. The flight slots are apparently 45 min long from boarding to boarding, according to the web page.
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