Queen of the Skies

[1LtCAP 4,262]

you all probably figured i love my old ww2 aircraft. well.......the Memphis Belle is closer to taking to the skies again. after 13 years of restoration. she's a gorgeous B-17F. it's a crying shame that none of the heroes(bunch of kids at the time) aren't still alive to see her brought back to her former beauty.

 

http://worldwarwings.com/13-years-restoration-memphis-belle-finally-complete-see-stunning-detail/?utm_campaign=blog broadcast&utm_source=aweber&utm_medium=email

[T Bill 649]

It truly represents "The Greatest Generation".  

[siderman 1,137]

Yrs ago when I and my family were much younger we spent a lot of time camping in Cape May in late summer. it often coincided with the Collings Foundation fly-in to the little airport down there. B17, 24,25 and I think 1 or2 others would would be scheduled to show up but there was usually a delay or no show from mechanical issues which everyone could relate to and was ok and funny in a way.  seeing and hearing those beasts fly in low and slow then circling the airport was a truly moving experience and some of my best memory's are of just that, and seeing my kids smiles....and the walk thrus, so much more respect for those young men. I can still see myself standing on the narrow walkway in the bomb bay and picturing the drs wide open....not to mention the claustrophobic gunner turrets. Beautiful awesome planes for sure.  

[1LtCAP 4,262]

nine-o-nine, and witchcraft i think are their bombers. i can't remember the 25's name, or the pony's name.......but they also have a p51c that normally escorts them.

[AVB-AMG 530]

siderman:

In the summer of 2016 I flew in the “Nine-O-Nine”, B-17 Flying Fortress that was restored and is maintained by the Collins Foundation.

AVB-AMG

Here is a link to my post about that experience with photographs of that plane and their other WWII bombers and P51 Mustang.

 

[Lakota 342]

Nice! ... on father's day 2013 I had the pleasure of flying around NYC on a B-17, "The Yankee Lady", with my son, who was 8 yrs old at the time. Flew out of Teterboro airport as part of a car show that weekend. We spent a good amount of time in the nose of the plane with my son sitting front and center with the best view. The tickets were not cheap and were a gift from my father-in-law, but i can say it was one of the greatest experiences of my life and if your interested in old bombers the ticket and experience is totally worth it.