B-29 rides

[Lee Barner]

we have a B-29 and some other WWII planes here at the Springfield airport for the weekend. I priced a ride on the B-29: they had one seat available for Saturday. the radio operator seat on the flight deck and it was only $1,295.00. guess I'll just drive out there and look at it from the ground. maybe if I win the lottery I will go for a ride in one some day. good grief. Lee

 

[rockquarry]

The expense to maintain these old airplanes is incredible. $1295.00 may not be outrageous at all.

 

[Wyo]

Honestly, I don’t think that’s bad at all. There are lots of experiences I’d like to have that would create a memory for a lifetime. A ride in a B-29 would be one, an African hunt might be another. There are others as well. Most of them would cost a lot more than that ride in the B-29 but I doubt the experience would be any better or more memorable. Heck, I see that fee as a cheap ticket to a one time adventure that I would never forget.

 

[RobertJ.]

Cheaper than tickets to Taylor Swift, and a lot more entertaining!

 

[Greyman50]

Bunch of us went to a small air show in N.C. several years ago to fly on B-17. A/C had a flat tire so we just watched a 2 seat P-51 take off with this guys wife riding back seat, cost was $2K!!!! The B-17 was the one that crashed killing all on board the following year.

 

[Retired W4]

!

While stationed at NAS Dallas I flew down to Waco for a little closed traffic in a U-21A. When we got there the Enola Gay (from the movie) was parked on the tarmac. Went over to take a look and talk with the crew. No ride, but I was allowed to climb up and crawl around inside. What a hoot!

 

[BSA1]

DOC was restored in Wichita. The project took many years and thousands of hours work by mostly unpaid volunteers. I know one volunteer who did some work on DOC after he retired.

I have mixed emotions about these old warbirds flying. I had a B-17 fly over me after takeoff and was starting to gain attitude. Man was I impressed. The roar of engines and seeing the entire underside up close was a once in the lifetime experience.

However is what is upsetting to me is how often they crash and destroy these old irreplaceable planes.

 

[PPS1980]

My wife bought me a ride on a B-17 for my birthday about 10 years ago. It was amazing and a really terrific experience. Cost about $500 at the time.

 

[M29since14]

DOC was restored in Wichita. The project took many years and thousands of hours work by mostly unpaid volunteers. I know one volunteer who did some work on DOC after he retired.

I have mixed emotions about these old warbirds flying. I had a B-17 fly over me after takeoff and was starting to gain attitude. Man was I impressed. The roar of engines and seeing the entire underside up close was a once in the lifetime experience.

However is what is upsetting to me is how often they crash and destroy these old irreplaceable planes.

And along with them, irreplaceable people! That is aviation. When we get in an airplane, we “hope” it’s not going to happen to us, and most of us try to take every reasonable precaution, but the truth is, it can happen, and does, in spite of our best efforts. I’d rather see them flying than sitting around. They were meant to fly. When they’re all gone, they’re gone.

 

[yaktamer]

Cheaper than tickets to Taylor Swift, and a lot more entertaining!

Yup. The droning of the engines sounds a lot better.

 

[BSA1]

And along with them, irreplaceable people! That is aviation. When we get in an airplane, we “hope” it’s not going to happen to us, and most of us try to take every reasonable precaution, but the truth is, it can happen, and does, in spite of our best efforts. I’d rather see them flying than sitting around. They were meant to fly. When they’re all gone, they’re gone.

According to what I read there are only nine flyable B-17’s left. Others in long-term maintenance, undergoing restoration or are in museums.

At the current crash rate most of the remaining operational B-17 will have crashed and destroyed within the next 10 years.

 

[DWalt]

If it is within your budget, do it. It would be a unique and memorable once in a lifetime experience.

 

[pantannojack]

I had a up close look, no ride, of a B17 at Pappy Boyington Field a year or two back. Much smaller than I expected from all the films, 12 O'Clock High, Command Decision, the War Lover, ... I would love to ride or pilot one. Also there was a B25? the two engine one. Looked sporty. What was the converted bomber Richard Dreyfus flew in fire fighting film "Always"?

 

[pantannojack]

I had a up close look, no ride, of a B17 at Pappy Boyington Field a year or two back. Graceful, but smaller than I expected from all the films, 12 O'Clock High, Command Decision, the War Lover, ... I would love to ride or pilot one. Also there was a B25? the two engine one. Looked sporty. What was the converted bomber Richard Dreyfus flew in fire fighting film "Always"?

 

[rockquarry]

I had a up close look, no ride, of a B17 at Pappy Boyington Field a year or two back. Graceful, but smaller than I expected from all the films, 12 O'Clock High, Command Decision, the War Lover, ... I would love to ride or pilot one. Also there was a B25? the two engine one. Looked sporty. What was the converted bomber Richard Dreyfus flew in fire fighting film "Always"?

B26, I think, but it's been at least thirty years since I saw the movie.

 

[Hair Trigger]

we have a B-29 and some other WWII planes here at the Springfield airport for the weekend. I priced a ride on the B-29: they had one seat available for Saturday. the radio operator seat on the flight deck and it was only $1,295.00. guess I'll just drive out there and look at it from the ground. maybe if I win the lottery I will go for a ride in one some day. good grief. Lee

You don't say which B-29 but I'd happily pay that much to ride in one of only two airworthy examples of the plane that helped change the world. The ONLY aircraft type in history to drop not only one, but two nuclear bombs (on purpose).

I got to crawl around inside FiFi back in 1988 before her complete restoration. She was parked on the ramp at Harlingen, Tx. when the Confederate Air Force was based there.

 

[CH4]

You'll soon forget the $1295, but never forget the experience - at least until Alzheimer's sets in. DO IT!

 

[Warren Sear]

About 10 years ago I could have gone for a ride in a B-17 for $500. I regret not taking that ride when I had the chance.

 

[Rich Richardson]

Years ago I was ready for departure in my Bonanza from Nantucket Airport in MA. I was told to hold short for a landing B29. Took a few seonds for that to register in my brain. Got out my camera in time to watch it land. Like being sent back in time.

 

[ggibson511960]

Douglas B-26

I had a up close look, no ride, of a B17 at Pappy Boyington Field a year or two back. Graceful, but smaller than I expected from all the films, 12 O'Clock High, Command Decision, the War Lover, ... I would love to ride or pilot one. Also there was a B25? the two engine one. Looked sporty. What was the converted bomber Richard Dreyfus flew in fire fighting film "Always"?

"Always" featured the Douglas B-26, not to be confused with the Martin B-26. Many Douglas B-26's survived WWII as utility aircraft for FAA instrument procedure development, corporate executive transport, CIA clandestine operations and firefighting as in "Always". They were inexpensive conversions to fast, but noisy private transport until bizjets came along. I have a cousin who was flying right seat in one coming out of Canada with a tailwind when they were intercepted by NORAD for flying suspiciously fast into the U.S. According to his memory, they were running 350 knots airspeed with a near 100 knot tailwind, equaling unheard of speed for an early 60's civilian aircraft. They were talking to ATC, as normal, but still got a verification look-see from a F-102.