Flight of a Lifetime.....
On April 23, 2004, I was given a tremendous opportunity to take a flight on a
true aviation classic, a B-17G named "Nine O Nine." This B-17G is owned
and operated by the Collings Foundation, a non-profit organization that has a
substantial collection of WWII and post-WWII aircraft that it owns and
maintains to celebrate the feats performed by our veterans, and to help
educate others about the roles our veterans played in our history. I was
fortunate enough to have been offered a ride with a friend and one of the
sponsors of the B-17G, Gary Zimmerman. It was a once in a lifetime
opportunity to fly in a piece of history.
We arrived at Camarillo Airport in the early morning hours and were allowed
to take a tour of both the B-17G and the B-24J inside and out. It was a rare
opportunity to see every inch of these two historic aircraft. Both cockpits
appear just as they did 60 years ago with some minor technological
improvements with the addition of modern radio equipment. Before start-up,
we were allowed to help the aircraft crew with manually turning each of the
four massive propellers by hand, eight revolutions per propeller before the
engines were started. Our flight started from our departure point at the
Camarillo Airport, in Camarillo, California. The flight lasted approximately one
hour as we made our way south along the Southern California coastline
toward our destination, John Wayne Airport.
Once the aircraft had taken off, we were allowed to freely walk around the
aircraft and visit the numerous positions held by Army Air Corp fliers decades
before. The only portions of the aircraft that were not open to us were the
tail-gunner section and the ball-turret position.
Viewing the Southern California coastline from the bombardier position in the
nose of the aircraft was spectacular. The Plexiglas nose provided us with a
beautiful, clear view of the coastline and the bright blue waters of the Pacific
Ocean below. The flight was remarkably smooth and relaxing as the four
engines hummed in tune to the beautiful scenery passing below us.
All of the Browning, .50 caliber machine guns were in place at each gunners
position, giving you an idea of how tremendously frightening flying a mission
in one of these aircraft must have been. From the outside it appeared to be
an extremely large aircraft with what one might think is a cavernous interior.
However, with only four passengers and four crewmen aboard for our flight, I
couldn't imagine what it would have been like with a full crew of ten aboard,
laden down with flight gear, oxygen equipment and ammunition for all of the
gun positions.
A small hatch was removed from an area just aft of the top turret gunners
position and we could stick our head out of the top of the aircraft to look
around. After making a nice wide approach into John Wayne airport, the
aircraft settled down easily upon the runway and we taxied to a stop along
side the Collings Foundation's other aircraft, a B-24J "The Dragon and His
Tail."
For anyone with an interest in aviation or a love of WWII aviation, this would
certainly be the trip of a lifetime. A small glimpse into the world of WWII
bomber crews that will forever leave you with a sense of awe and admiration
for these brave young men who flew in these machines so many years ago.
It certainly was a day I will never forget!
Please visit the Collings Foundation website and read about their terrific
collection of aircraft and view the 2005 schedule for where and when the
aircraft will be visiting nearby. Even if you only go to view the aircraft on the
ground, you will be amazed at the splendid condition of the aircraft and will
without a doubt appreciate the efforts of this fine organization. Please
support their efforts and look over their PX, they have a number of interesting
items for purchase. Thanks Gary!
true aviation classic, a B-17G named "Nine O Nine." This B-17G is owned
and operated by the Collings Foundation, a non-profit organization that has a
substantial collection of WWII and post-WWII aircraft that it owns and
maintains to celebrate the feats performed by our veterans, and to help
educate others about the roles our veterans played in our history. I was
fortunate enough to have been offered a ride with a friend and one of the
sponsors of the B-17G, Gary Zimmerman. It was a once in a lifetime
opportunity to fly in a piece of history.
We arrived at Camarillo Airport in the early morning hours and were allowed
to take a tour of both the B-17G and the B-24J inside and out. It was a rare
opportunity to see every inch of these two historic aircraft. Both cockpits
appear just as they did 60 years ago with some minor technological
improvements with the addition of modern radio equipment. Before start-up,
we were allowed to help the aircraft crew with manually turning each of the
four massive propellers by hand, eight revolutions per propeller before the
engines were started. Our flight started from our departure point at the
Camarillo Airport, in Camarillo, California. The flight lasted approximately one
hour as we made our way south along the Southern California coastline
toward our destination, John Wayne Airport.
Once the aircraft had taken off, we were allowed to freely walk around the
aircraft and visit the numerous positions held by Army Air Corp fliers decades
before. The only portions of the aircraft that were not open to us were the
tail-gunner section and the ball-turret position.
Viewing the Southern California coastline from the bombardier position in the
nose of the aircraft was spectacular. The Plexiglas nose provided us with a
beautiful, clear view of the coastline and the bright blue waters of the Pacific
Ocean below. The flight was remarkably smooth and relaxing as the four
engines hummed in tune to the beautiful scenery passing below us.
All of the Browning, .50 caliber machine guns were in place at each gunners
position, giving you an idea of how tremendously frightening flying a mission
in one of these aircraft must have been. From the outside it appeared to be
an extremely large aircraft with what one might think is a cavernous interior.
However, with only four passengers and four crewmen aboard for our flight, I
couldn't imagine what it would have been like with a full crew of ten aboard,
laden down with flight gear, oxygen equipment and ammunition for all of the
gun positions.
A small hatch was removed from an area just aft of the top turret gunners
position and we could stick our head out of the top of the aircraft to look
around. After making a nice wide approach into John Wayne airport, the
aircraft settled down easily upon the runway and we taxied to a stop along
side the Collings Foundation's other aircraft, a B-24J "The Dragon and His
Tail."
For anyone with an interest in aviation or a love of WWII aviation, this would
certainly be the trip of a lifetime. A small glimpse into the world of WWII
bomber crews that will forever leave you with a sense of awe and admiration
for these brave young men who flew in these machines so many years ago.
It certainly was a day I will never forget!
Please visit the Collings Foundation website and read about their terrific
collection of aircraft and view the 2005 schedule for where and when the
aircraft will be visiting nearby. Even if you only go to view the aircraft on the
ground, you will be amazed at the splendid condition of the aircraft and will
without a doubt appreciate the efforts of this fine organization. Please
support their efforts and look over their PX, they have a number of interesting
items for purchase. Thanks Gary!
B-17G "Nine O Nine" sitting on the tarmac at
Camarillo Airport.
Camarillo Airport.
A good close-up showing the nose art of
"Nine O Nine."
"Nine O Nine."
Gary and I before the flight, showing how
massive the aircraft really is.
massive the aircraft really is.
The intricate nose art of the B-24J, "The
Dragon and His Tail."
Dragon and His Tail."
NOTE: Not wanting to infringe on the Collings
Foundation copyrights of any of their images, I have
added the 8th Air Force patch to the left as a link to the
Collings Foundation website. Please click on the 8th
Air Force patch and visit the website of this terrific
organization and support their efforts to keep these
historic aircraft in the air for future generations to enjoy
and learn about. Thank you.
Foundation copyrights of any of their images, I have
added the 8th Air Force patch to the left as a link to the
Collings Foundation website. Please click on the 8th
Air Force patch and visit the website of this terrific
organization and support their efforts to keep these
historic aircraft in the air for future generations to enjoy
and learn about. Thank you.
A beautiful print painted by noted aviation artist, Stan Stokes, depicting B-17G
"Nine O Nine." This print is available through the Collings Foundation PX and is
ready and suitable for framing.
"Nine O Nine." This print is available through the Collings Foundation PX and is
ready and suitable for framing.
A few pictures as we passed over Malibu and the
bright blue Pacific Ocean. The picture on the left was
taken from the bombardier position while the picture
on the right was taken from the navigators position. I
can only imagine that it felt like a very exposed
position sitting here in the nose with enemy fighters
making head on passes.
bright blue Pacific Ocean. The picture on the left was
taken from the bombardier position while the picture
on the right was taken from the navigators position. I
can only imagine that it felt like a very exposed
position sitting here in the nose with enemy fighters
making head on passes.
Click on Kilroy
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webmaster@danielsww2.com
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Above: Two candid photographs taken by a local artist here in Southern California. The two photographs show
beautifully restored warbirds as they fly-by. The B-17 on the right is the same aircraft I was fortunate enough to ride
in, while the B-24 on the right is another example of the dedication taken by a select few to help maintain these
beautiful machines for future generations to enjoy.
To see other works of art by this local, Southern California artist, visit his website at www.prettyfoto.com. Thanks
Tom.
beautifully restored warbirds as they fly-by. The B-17 on the right is the same aircraft I was fortunate enough to ride
in, while the B-24 on the right is another example of the dedication taken by a select few to help maintain these
beautiful machines for future generations to enjoy.
To see other works of art by this local, Southern California artist, visit his website at www.prettyfoto.com. Thanks
Tom.