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| B-17 - four engine - tail dragger landing gear |
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| Lulu in the bombardier plexiglass bubble |
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| The top was painted green - the bottom gray |
On Sunday at noon - Florida State women's basketball team played Virginia. The game ended at 2 PM - so we had some time to kill before our 5 PM supper at Ted's Montana Grill with Joan. First we stopped buy the Proof Brewery. It is close to our home - in the old Coca Cola Bottling Factory. After a fruity beer - we headed to the airport. I read that some World War II aircraft would be there giving rides.
One of the nice things about having a wide open regional airport - is that it is a perfect venue for visiting aircraft. We have two very long wide open runways. At one time the airport was home to the Strategic Air Command. So every now and then - these old warbirds pay a visit.
This time - a B-17 Bomber and a P-51 Mustang Fighter came calling. These two planes teamed up to win World War II.
One of my many favorite movies is Memphis Belle. It is the story of a B-17 that made 25 bombing missions over Germany and lived to tell about it. The crew and plane became famous and toured around American selling war bonds.
They built a little under 13,000 B-17 Flying Fortresses - a nickname the bomber earned from having 13 machine guns sticking out all over it. It was also heavily armored to protect the crew. Many of the planes returned with holes in the wings and part of the tail blown off. It was the bomber that leveled Berlin and brought the Nazi's to their knees. There are only 9 flying B-17's left.
The B-17 had 4 propeller engines each producing 750 horsepower. It had a top speed of 300 miles per hour and could fly for 2000 miles. It carried eight 500 pound bombs. It had a crew of 10 men - pilot - co-pilot - navigator - bombarder - and machine gunners. The bombers would fly in a close formation to protect each other from German fighters. They would usually be accompanied by the P-51 - which was also at the airport Sunday.
The P-51 Mustang on display is painted in the colors of the Tuskegee Airmen - the first all-black fighter squadron. Over Europe - they had the best record for protecting bombers. They painted the tails of their aircraft bright red. During the war - the Tuskegee Airmen did training at Dale Mabry Field - in Tallahassee.
Admission was free to line up and do a walk through of the B-17. Of course - they hoped you would decide to take a ride. I did not ask how much it cost - but I think the last time they were in town it was $225 for 20 minutes. It was a beautiful warm sunny day to be climbing around on a piece of living history.
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| The tailgunner had the job of protecting the rear |
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| It carried eight 500 pound bombs |
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| The top turret was missing - so you could see outside |
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| The navigator seat and radio |
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| The gunners did not have plastic windows - it was open |
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| Harry and a 50 calibre machine gun |
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| Another machine gun |
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| Imagine riding back there all alone |
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| This truck handled ride tickets |
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| The bombardier controlled the plane during drop time |
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| It was painted with the name - Ye Olde Pub. The real one is long gone - great story. |
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| Front wheels retract |
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| Belly turret - very tight |
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| Belly turret |
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| Belly turret almost dragged on takeoff and landing |
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| P-51 Mustangs - would accompany B-17s over Germany |
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| Tuskegee Airmen colors |
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| Extra seat added to take people on rides |
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| Just a pretty sunny day |
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| Chuck Yeager was an ace in a P-51 Mustang |
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| B-17F - if crew weighed 1200 pounds - that would 120 pounds per man |
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| Pilot on left - co-pilot on right |
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| One eyed warriors need not apply. |
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