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Flying in a B17 Named Fuddy Duddy |
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Visit Photo Albums and checkout Fuddy Duddy to view all the photos taken during the flight. |
Ever since I was a child, my Father talked about his duty in the Army Air Corps. I was always busy doing kid things and didn't pay that much attention to what he said. As I grew older, I became more interested in what he experienced. But as life would dictate, when I became interested, life had already made other arrangements. My father contracted Alzheimer's and, with the strokes that followed, couldn't tell what I desired to know. EAA and other groups had been hopping rides in several B17s but I never really paid much attention. But, as the years went by and I became more aware of aviation issues, I realized that flying in a B17 may not be an option in the near future. Knowing that I was going to retire soon, I decided I had better get a hop while I could afford it and a B17 was still flying. So I checked with EAA and found the schedule for 2004 had a local airport listed in September. The cost was $395 if not an EAA member and $355 if you were a member. I signed up and started saving some money. Funny, the difference in price is the cost of an EAA membership. As it turns out, the EAA's Aluminum Overcast had a gear problem in California and couldn't make the rest of the tour that Summer. EAA was able to get Fuddy Duddy to replace their Aluminum Overcast for the rest of the scheduled tour. All I had to do was wait until September 1st for my ride. I can't recall the exact time but it was early. I was on the first flight of the day and had the opportunity to walk around this great bird before and during the preflight. As I walked around and closely looked at this great aircraft, it looked both big and small at the same time. In it's day, this was a large airplane. In today's terms, it lacks in weight carrying capability, range, and speed. But, that's what progress is; ever improving characteristics. What struck me most was the tailgunner and the lower ball turret positions. I can't believe a guy like me would climb into these positions while the enemy was shooting at them. The lower ball turret was bad because once in, the door was closed and you couldn't get out unless someone opened the door for you. And, if the gear wouldn't come down for landing and you couldn't get out of the turret, well, it ruined your day. I have a great deal of admiration for those that fought from these positions. Actually, fighting from any of the positions takes more guts than I'll ever have. After an eternity, it was time to board. 10 of us lined up to enter the rear side door just forward of the tailwheel. I was first in and immediately noticed, to the left, the small area available for the tailgunner to get to his position. To the right was the waistgunners area. This is where my Father would do his duty. The small door, at the far end, is the opening to the radio room. I walked through the rear area into the radio room and decided I will sit in this area. The first thing I noticed in the radio room is the ceiling is open to the sky. There's a huge opening in the roof of the plane with a sign that says "Exit." I don't think so ... As can be seen, the bombbay isn't very big. All of the crew and this large aircraft was dedicated to delivering whatever could be carried in the small area shown through the open door. We were told to be very careful walking through the bombbay because the doors are HOT and will activate if 100lbs, or more, would land on them. Most of us onboard weighted more than 100lbs so the man had our undivided attention.
The Sunlight on the wall above the head of the grumpy looking guy is streaming in through that large opening in the roof of the airplane. I did stick my head and my camera out of this opening to take pictures. It was very noisy in the plane and the open ceiling didn't help. Once airborne we could leave our seats and roam the aircraft. That was a great experience. The next part of the aircraft to visit was the cockpit and the nose where the Nordon Bomb site is located. There's not a lot of room once you pass into the bombbay. The walkway through the bombbay is very narrow. All the passages forward are cramped.
Once through the bombbay, you can go up into the cockpit or down and under the cockpit to enter the nose. The tunnel to the nose can be seen just to the left of the leg of the guy in the middle of the picture. It was amusing to watch stiff old men climb through the tunnel to the nose. I'm sure my trip drew a chuckle or two from anyone watching.
As in all cockpits, there's precious little room. You'll notice a stack of radios above the windscreen. Even though the B17 is a great aircraft, it has to adhere to current requirements. To bad someone didn't clean off the bubble before we departed. The shot through the nose bubble shows the closed runways of Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. The group of buildings on the closed runways are those of the Air Force Museum. One of the movies is of the flight from this point on as we overfly the Museum. I was one of the last persons to get into the nose and the timing was perfect for filming the overflight of the AF Museum As can be seen, there's little room and lots of sharp edges. How would you like to go through this area while flying in rough air? My new found friend is climbing through the tunnel under the cockpit heading for the nose. Believe me, getting through this area is well worth the trouble because the view through the nose bubble is fantastic.
This picture is of a gentleman that simply sat in that seat the entire flight without saying a word. I somehow think this man served as a radio operator during the war and was reliving his experience.
I was able to stand at one of the waist gun positions and view what my Father saw. I hope the trigger is limited dependant on the aim of the gun because from that position, one could shoot the heck out your own engines and tail feathers. Of course, I'll never know the feeling of being at altitude over enemy territory while shooting at and being shot at by ME109's or the like. And don't forget the flack!
As with all good things, our flight was finally coming to an end. Soon after this self portrait was taken of the author of this article, we were instructed to take our seats and buckle up. Once on the ground, I had to buy a Flight Jacket and a T shirt so the total costs were $520 but I'd do again in a heartbeat. I couldn't afford it now because I'm retired. Sure, it was a lot of money but I'll never regret the experience.
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