Plane rides, $400 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Palangi · #1 09-25-2002, 09:57 PM

$400 for 30 minutes in one of the last surviving B-17's. This saturday the 28th at Mineral Wells, TX.
I believe the exact plane is "Sentimental Journey" from the Arizona wing of the CAF.

#2 09-25-2002, 10:21 PM

Would that be the Ghost Squadron? My dad used to take us to see the B-29 "FiFi" which was the plane that was used filming the movie Enola Gay. I can't remember how much it cost for the ride but it was an experience I will never forget.

My grandfather earned 3 distinguished flying crosses as a B-29 Gunner. He ditched twice once in the ocean and was picked up by a submarine after floating for 3 days and on Iwo Jima.

When he was picked up by the Sub he was thankful it was American and when they ditched on a bomb cratered runway on Iwo Jima (one side was Japanese and the other American) he managed to run to the right side. He jumped into a fighting position occupied by one of his high school buddies...interesting story. The good part is he faked his age on a drinking card which earned him a draft notice which put him in the Army Air Force at the age of 16. He was an Ace at the age of 17 which earned him his first flying cross. He went on to become an officer and retired Colonal.

Having been in battle myself, I still cannot fathom how these young warriors did it.

Palangi · #3 09-25-2002, 10:50 PM

I think all the CAF warbirds are considered the Ghost Squadron. I have seen Fifi (the only surviving B-29), but never saw rides offered on it. I think insurance might prohibit selling rides on Fifi nowdays.

If I didn't have previous commitments this saturday, I would seriously consider the B-17 ride. There may never be another chance. The CAF "Airsho" is Oct 5 and 6 in Midland TX. ALL the warbirds will be there. I try to attend every few years, but, unfortunately, can't attend this year.

BTW, the former Confederate Air Force is now the Commemorative Air Force. Political correctness at it finest.

#4 09-25-2002, 11:02 PM

Well lift my leg!

Your post prompted me to do a google search on the flying cross and I found my gramps on the honor roll.

http://www.dfcsociety.org/honor_roll.htm H. J. Tucker

The Warden · #5 09-26-2002, 04:15 AM

If I had $400, I'd take that flight without thinking twice.

I've always been an aviation nut (I actually want to fly airliners for a living), and have always loved the B-17's looks and sheer power. Not to mention her role in our victory in WWII. Truely a legend...I've seen pictures of what some B-17's looked like on their flights back from the bombing runs they did over France and Germany. It's truely unbelievable how much damage one of those Flying Fortresses could take and still get their crews home in one piece.

People have asked me where I would go if I could time-travel. I've always answered that I'd go back to the early 1940's to be a B-17 pilot over Europe. I know that war is a horrid thing, but I've always had a desire to serve my country (in a fit of irony, courtesy of my back, I can't now)...

Gilly · #6 09-26-2002, 10:19 AM

That thing was in Madison either last summer or the summer before, giving rides. It must have had a pretty definite flight path to follow. For 2 days the thing flew right over our shop about 10 times a day. I was out there watching it every time!

Gilly

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