Pvt. Ryan Posted April 21, 2001 Share Posted April 21, 2001 There is a B-17 at the Van Nuys, CA airport this weekend and the public can ride for $375 for half an hour. I saw the plane on the news and it looks like a G model with a full complement of .50s and it is flown by WWII vets. Anyone think the experience is worth the price? Sorry if this is OT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
von_M Posted April 21, 2001 Share Posted April 21, 2001 Do it. Just listening to the roar of the engines up close is worth $375 IMO. If you're a WW2 aviation nut, riding in a B17 is a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
109 Gustav Posted April 21, 2001 Share Posted April 21, 2001 Do you get to fire the .50s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted April 21, 2001 Share Posted April 21, 2001 You only live once, so go do it. There are a lot of people that would give anything for such a chance. Go and make sure you have the presence of mind to absorb the occasion. It's a once in a lifetime chance... -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
von Lucke Posted April 21, 2001 Share Posted April 21, 2001 Check out http://www.b17.org/index.html and decide for yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJMello Posted April 21, 2001 Share Posted April 21, 2001 The 17 and a B-24 usually come to my area every year. I haven't ridden on it yet but everyone who did felt it was well worth the price. Maybe next time :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bimmer Posted April 21, 2001 Share Posted April 21, 2001 While I've never been up in a B-17, I have ridden in a Ju-52, a C-47, the only flying DC-2, and I actually have a little T-6 stick time. Flying in these old birds is quite a rush, and the opportunities to do so are few and far between, and become less certain with every passing year. Go for the ride while you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted April 21, 2001 Share Posted April 21, 2001 Its $275 for a 30 minute ride. They're coming to Sacramento and since my wife's dad flew in one during the war, I had to check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars Posted April 21, 2001 Share Posted April 21, 2001 Are you kidding? Get on the plane. And for a real rush go to Oshkosh. Check out the EAA website for particulars. I go every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pvt. Ryan Posted April 21, 2001 Author Share Posted April 21, 2001 I submitted my application for a ride on Sunday 4/22. We'll see what happens. Anyone want to go with me? Kitty? I called them up on the phone and found out all flights are sold out. Oh well. [ 04-21-2001: Message edited by: Pvt. Ryan ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanish Bombs Posted April 21, 2001 Share Posted April 21, 2001 My father in law took a flight on a B-17 for about the same price, and claimed it was a bargain. I guess for 400 bucks you get a story to tell for a lifetime, so.... As for Oshkosh, that is to be seen to be believed. At one point I was looking out the gun turret of a B-17 watching another one take off. Quickest 9 hours of my life, seemed like 15 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gen. Sosaboski Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 I got to go up on one a couple of years ago. The flight took us over the Statue of Liberty, and seeing that from a B-17s nose is something not easily forgotten. It was on the YAF's B-17, Yankee Lady, and at several points I was overcome by the atmosphere and ended up "claiming" an "attacking" C-172 from the top turret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lempereur Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 I was at an airshow about 12 years ago at the Beaver County Pa airshow when a B-17 (the 909) was carrying passengers, caught a windgust and ran off the end of the runway and down a steep hill. I have some photos of the wreckage. It was damaged so badly they had to keep it at the airport and rebuild it. Not sure if anyone was killed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer_Meyer Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 Post the photos if you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gyrene Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 Ryan, they're charging $350 for the rides when they come to Chino Airport. The extra $25 must be an LA County tax thing. Gyrene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaBellum Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 Do it! I once took a ride with a JU-52. The flight was about one hour and took us over the alps! I will never forget the roam of the engines and the view... And it cost only about (calculate...) 100$! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gen. Sosaboski Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 I hate to see old airplanes in bad shape. Last year at the Reading Airshow (It's actually a WWII extravaganza-the entire field is basically turned into a front-line WWII airbase with mock battles and all-check it out) the YAF C-47 ended up in bad shape. It appeared to have landed on one wheel, but I'm not sure exactly what happened. If ANYONE has a chance to go up in a vintage airplane (esp. WWII) just do it, don't ask! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffsmith Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 Here is the URL for the B-17/B-24 schedule. the home page tells more about the planes http://www.collingsfoundation.org/pages/news.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screamineagle Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 Ryan, DO IT!!! I took the ride last fall, her in PA and it was worth every cent. All those years of riding in my fathers Ford Station Wagon in the rear fold up seats, pretending I was the tail gunner became a reality. The grace,beauty and power of this aircraft is beyond words. As a pilot I have had the opportunity to fly helicopters, jets, and aerobatic aircraft. The B-17 surpasses them all in it's ability to capture your heart and it gives you a brief glimpse into the daily routine of the crews that took it to work every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pvt. Ryan Posted April 22, 2001 Author Share Posted April 22, 2001 Thanks for all the feedback, but as I posted above all the flights are sold out. I suppose airing a story about the plane on the news Friday night didn't hurt the bookings. The plane will be at Santa Barbara next, but I won't be able to take off from work to go. I might go for a walkthrough though and at least get to see the plane in the air. Hopefully they will come back again sometime soon. A few years ago there was a B-24 at the local airport where I lived in Florida. I took a walkthrough but my parents wouldn't pay for me to fly (bastards!). I did come away with about a foot of .50 ammo though (sold as souvenirs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kverdon Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 Ryna, "The plane will be at Santa Barbara next, but I won't be able to take off from work to go. " I've got three words for you CALL IN SICK Tell them you've got a case of the Schweinfurt Flu. Anyone savvy enough to figure it out, shouldn't care Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pvt. Ryan Posted April 22, 2001 Author Share Posted April 22, 2001 I can't call in sick to myslef. I would know I am lying. I would fire myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Scooter: Its $275 for a 30 minute ride. They're coming to Sacramento and since my wife's dad flew in one during the war, I had to check it out.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> $275? Where do you see that? The page - https://secure.eaa.org/B17/securejoin_B17.html Flight Experience on Aluminum Overcast - (Non-EAA Member Only) = $375 I'd do it for $275. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pvt. Ryan Posted April 22, 2001 Author Share Posted April 22, 2001 If you join for $40 it's only $325 to fly - a savings of $10. That sweetens the deal, doesn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crank_GS Posted April 22, 2001 Share Posted April 22, 2001 Yeah, I would do it in a heartbeat. For twice the money, even. I was extremely fortunate to get a ride in Rousch's P-51 a few years back. It is the one painted like Anderson's "Old Crow" I got about 45 minutes in it, complete with rolls and a loop. Unforgetable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts