My bride came across some prints from a few years back. In 2010, the CAF flew their B17G Sentimental Journeys into the Sioux City Airport. My mother surprised me with the early birthday gift of a flight in the navigator seat! My future bride decided to stay on the ground...and worried every moment we were airborne When they asked for volunteers to prime the engines I jumped at the chance. Check out those sexy white legs ladies and fellas! Like I said I started the flight sitting in the navigator seat which is behind the bombadier seat. After the take off the person sitting in the bombadier seat was unnerved, sitting in the glass nose, and asked me to switch seats with him. He didn't have to ask twice! Flying over I29. Lining up my first target...they didn't stand a chance! Looking out onto the right side engines...and no, the M2s weren't functioning. Home from our "mission". I was super lucky to get to do this and it gave me a huge appreciation for WW2 vets.
Excellent! I have boarded their B29 "Fifi" but never rode in it. It is an awesome machine. Souix City - I can never think of it without remembering United 232. I was a mechanic at United at the time, and it really shook us up. I understand there is a memorial there, I doubt I would ever see it, but might if I ever pass through. Anyway, the EAA's Ford Trimotor is cool too.
One of the guys was Harvey Jensen ,a B29 pilot,and had some ccol stories. He said he had a chance to ride in FiFi but thought it was too expensive.
Looks like it was an awesome flight! Those are gorgeous planes, one stops by my area every year. Tickets sell out fast for a ride. And they are spensive! My great uncle was shot down over Germany in the same town our (his parents)family was from. He woke up falling(parachute) in mid air after getting other crew out and being knocked unconscious from and explosion. He was a POW. Went in 250lbs(6'4) came out weighing 90 something. Not pretty. But luckily he survived!
Amazing what some of our vets have gone through Fifi is gorgeous! 232...yes, a tragedy that could have so much worse. Hanes did an amazing job. Still remember hearing the drama unfold on the car radio. Watching first responders flying past me as drove to Sioux City, coming from far and wide. Once they crashed I went to donate blood, but they were inundated with donors they turned us away.
