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General => History => Topic started by: Gawen on November 03, 2011, 08:07:56 PM

Title: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 03, 2011, 08:07:56 PM
Heard her fly over. There's no mistaking those Pratt and Whitney radial engines so I dropped everything and ran outside. Saw her make a few passes over the local airport. I got in the car and proceeded at a high rate of fuel consumption there. It'll be here for a few days.

Meet "Aluminum Overcast"
B-17G-VE, serial number 44-85740 - nicknamed, Aluminum Overcast, delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps on May 18, 1945 - too late to see action in World War II. This plane carries the colors of the 398th Bomb Groupduring the war. Aluminum Overcast commemorates B-17G #42-102515 which was shot down on its 34th combat mission over Le Manior, France, on August 13, 1944.

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1618.jpg&hash=8d6195c855dd93a65fcc4cf2ec0346005557bf29)

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1619.jpg&hash=e0ae7ff2173f7e81186e359196d060b19069441a)

Sadly, they want $460 for a ride of 25 minutes. If I had the money, I'd be flying.

Tomorrow morning at 10:15 is the first flight of the day. A buddy and me are planning to be at the end of the runway to take some video of her taking off.

Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Tank on November 03, 2011, 09:32:57 PM
$460 or an experience of a lifetime and a memory and a story to match?
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 03, 2011, 10:00:17 PM
Quote from: Tank on November 03, 2011, 09:32:57 PM
$460 or an experience of a lifetime and a memory and a story to match?
I just don't have the cash to spare. But tomorrow I'm going to ask the crew if I can get a couple photos of it with my bike. That would be class!
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Tank on November 03, 2011, 10:02:02 PM
Quote from: Gawen on November 03, 2011, 10:00:17 PM
Quote from: Tank on November 03, 2011, 09:32:57 PM
$460 or an experience of a lifetime and a memory and a story to match?
I just don't have the cash to spare. But tomorrow I'm going to ask the crew if I can get a couple photos of it with my bike. That would be class!
Hope they say yes!
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Asmodean on November 03, 2011, 10:16:46 PM
If you get them photos, post some here  :D
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: McQ on November 03, 2011, 10:29:52 PM
Always good to see one of those still flying. It's one of my top three favorite aircraft designs of all time. Just beautiful!

Thanks for sharing these shots! Hope they let you do some with your bike.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on November 03, 2011, 11:18:13 PM
Quote from: Gawen on November 03, 2011, 08:07:56 PM
Saw her make a few passes over the local airport.

Where?  Here's the next stop for Aluminum Overcast: Burleson, Texas.

http://www.eaa.org/calendar/eventdetail.aspx?id=11285

Are you in Burleson?
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Xjeepguy on November 04, 2011, 12:38:53 AM
That is awesome. I would love to be on the same acre as that beauty. That is one of my all time favorites.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 01:58:45 AM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on November 03, 2011, 11:18:13 PM
Quote from: Gawen on November 03, 2011, 08:07:56 PM
Saw her make a few passes over the local airport.

Where?  Here's the next stop for Aluminum Overcast: Burleson, Texas.

http://www.eaa.org/calendar/eventdetail.aspx?id=11285

Are you in Burleson?
Yup....that's where I live. She'll be here at Spinks Airport till the 7th
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: OldGit on November 04, 2011, 10:13:27 AM
What a beautiful aircraft!  You were lucky to see that, Gawen.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 11:33:23 AM
Quote from: OldGit on November 04, 2011, 10:13:27 AM
What a beautiful aircraft!  You were lucky to see that, Gawen.
I'll be inside her and giving her a thorough go over in about 3 hours. I expect this thread to have lots of pictures soon.

Jeeez...why does that sound so....wrong?


*wicked evil grin*
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Tank on November 04, 2011, 12:07:47 PM
Can't wait!
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Xjeepguy on November 04, 2011, 12:12:30 PM
Quote from: Tank on November 04, 2011, 12:07:47 PM
Can't wait!


My sentiments exactly. As good as the outside looks, I would love to see the cockpit. Thanks for sharing this.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on November 04, 2011, 05:20:53 PM
Quote from: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 01:58:45 AM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on November 03, 2011, 11:18:13 PM
Are you in Burleson?

Yup....that's where I live. She'll be here at Spinks Airport till the 7th


SLIGHT, MOMENTARY DERAIL:

Burleson is my last name - Noselrub backwards.  Burleson, TX was named after distant relative Edward Burleson, a general in the Texas revolutionary army.  

Kelly Clarkson's from Burleson - know her?

I'm about 2 hours south of you on I-35.

We have a great airshow in nearby Temple in the spring.  B-17s fly in on occasion.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 07:09:53 PM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on November 04, 2011, 05:20:53 PM
Quote from: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 01:58:45 AM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on November 03, 2011, 11:18:13 PM
Are you in Burleson?

Yup....that's where I live. She'll be here at Spinks Airport till the 7th


SLIGHT, MOMENTARY DERAIL:

Burleson is my last name - Noselrub backwards.  Burleson, TX was named after distant relative Edward Burleson, a general in the Texas revolutionary army.  

Kelly Clarkson's from Burleson - know her?

I'm about 2 hours south of you on I-35.

We have a great airshow in nearby Temple in the spring.  B-17s fly in on occasion.
That puts you somewhere around Belton? Killeen? Never met Kelly but work with a couple guys that went to school with her. The house she lived in during her high school years was sold some years ago.

I never get much of a chance to get out of town. One of these days I plan a trip to Corpus Christie to see that aircraft carrier they have down there. About three years ago I made it to Houston and saw the USS Texas and SS Cavalla.

Pics up shortly.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 08:01:23 PM
What a fine piece of history this plane is. I've been in about a dozen bombers, some flying, most static and the insides are just trashed. Paint peeling, rust, missing instruments, etc.

But THIS plane beats all the rest, so far.
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1634.jpg&hash=992cee8c29a32f8e5734c8bc24c26159e2e8590b)

Me standing under the wheel well:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1628.jpg&hash=f5716b7978bc4fd968adecbac9ff754b7567d398)

Nose art:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1627.jpg&hash=9c1e1eeec86c4db477075c14af14aa12737bb3fe)

Looking through the .50 calibre sights on the port fuselage:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1653.jpg&hash=9817ee6253448ab54e15c20104d7636fe9d70f9b)

State of the art electronics...1945 style. Navigators station (notice the paint):
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1651.jpg&hash=50592fd13a6cf236b553b665a9f8e16623163f99)

On the yoke (steering wheel):
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1649.jpg&hash=e70f2ae5128b0141a000296331671eda9285f740)

Now the cockpit has been necessarily updated - with GPS and a new radio cluster. Some of the instruments have been replaced, you can see where the old ones are yellowed and the new ones...well...look new.
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1647.jpg&hash=c737073d7046f14504d6562cf3cf8e6485756e72)

Bombardier's position. This photo is taken hanging half in and out of the plane.
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1646.jpg&hash=8e3e748ec6763a225c7c10e45174d329903c093b)

My buddy climbing in. One must climb into and then crawl to get to various parts of the plane. Turn left here and you crawl into the nose. Turn right and up takes you to the cockpit, where you can finally stand. This bird was made for kids...and nimble ones at that:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1644.jpg&hash=cdb66b79c1c7c5fcc4f95a4f4ea38aff52ac1714)

Bombay:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1641.jpg&hash=c6fb4980ffb2fb3bb7099f5285de9fe3eee6ef30)

Tail gunner (2 photos):
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1620.jpg&hash=68e6257dc5604c4c0d7105e5e443c0c107a31bb4)
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1621.jpg&hash=673f50eeec611d14b0ae03a89bd93d1d03a99a5c)

And finally, me, the Black Pearl and Aluminum Overcast:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1638.jpg&hash=47e07216d1436ce95c2f573202813c588c1be03d)
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1637.jpg&hash=78031243d9f9179b0f405c7200a89e4d0286afa2)
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1636.jpg&hash=1b4c1404baaeebba4e08e432916652068aa8c4ea)

What a wonderful day!!

Video will be posted on my youtube tonight or tomorrow.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Davin on November 04, 2011, 08:13:07 PM
That is awesome. Maybe it was all the black and white war movies I watched when I was a kid, but the B-17's have always been my favourite.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Tank on November 04, 2011, 08:26:52 PM
Wow, just wow!
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on November 04, 2011, 09:15:22 PM
Quote from: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 07:09:53 PM

That puts you somewhere around Belton?

Yep, Belton.


Quote from: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 07:09:53 PM

I never get much of a chance to get out of town. One of these days I plan a trip to Corpus Christie to see that aircraft carrier they have down there. About three years ago I made it to Houston and saw the USS Texas and SS Cavalla.

The USS Lexington in Corpus is really a treat. Sooo big.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Asmodean on November 04, 2011, 09:29:28 PM
Like. Especially like those tail guns  ;D
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 09:31:55 PM
Quote from: Tank on November 04, 2011, 08:26:52 PM
Wow, just wow!
Just think, Tank, it wasn't so very long ago that these buggers flew over your space making cows milkless...*chucklin*. When I get the video uploaded to youtube you guys have to turn the speakers up real loud. I can only imagine what a 900 bomber flight of these things sounded like.

Yesterday, when the plane got here, a little old man and (I assume) his wife debarked (hobbled) from the plane. His smile was from ear to ear. His wife now knows what a hell it must have been to fly in one of these for 15 hours straight. And that's just flying...not going through flak and fighters. How the hell they got her into and out of the plane is beyond me.

This plane is choice and tight. I've never seen such a great specimen, one so meticulously maintained. On the ground beneath the engines I counted about 25 drops of oil...total. Unheard of! I've seen puddles 2 feet across under engines that have sat overnight.

Videos up shortly
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 09:38:17 PM
crap....hold on

Ok, it's taking forever to upload a video to youtube, so here's a few more pics:

(Sorry for the blurriness of some)
Nose and chin turret
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2FIMAG0131.jpg&hash=6c91d516be3029a7f6cfaa50250687b5975b64d2)

Another view of the navigators radio
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2FIMAG0103.jpg&hash=4147fbd4523b6a7878608aa2ad37a1b4d3d2f02c)

Another view of the instrument cluster
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2FIMAG0099.jpg&hash=ed2bd95da9192ec9099664788e51b4c3b0f751bd)

Me in the bomb bay
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2FIMAG0095.jpg&hash=02c9f825c2daabc81587b03e05334477fe39d1bf)

Me taking a pic through the tail gunner's glass
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2FIMAG0073.jpg&hash=6a97805fd938db20d56e32018b23a70d730d521e)

The Pearl waiting patiently for her photo shoot...notice how longingly she looks toward the bomber
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2FIMAG0083.jpg&hash=405af90d82fa700033c1bddb52cbfa7a37775a02)

I thought this photo was kinda neat
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2FIMAG0079.jpg&hash=89a988f58198b59c8495af9a7fde4d90b5fc21ac)

This one too
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2FIMAG0091.jpg&hash=fdca8fce896550b69658e6ab64898d8328e75653)

The three of us (that's my skull cap and goggles)
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2FIMAG0090.jpg&hash=93e951bd76e4e6da6c228466e843cbb97c4cff56)

Not only did people come and take pics of the plane, but also of my rig. Here, some of the ground crew are asking me questions about my rig.
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2FIMAG0088.jpg&hash=84134bda3dffdedb26764256ecf9dc36ca2a5c52)

Only one video uploaded so far. I'll be back as soon as I can with the links.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 10:19:04 PM
Engine start up
http://youtu.be/JfstNtWsgnY
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfstNtWsgnY&feature=youtu.be

Takeoff #1:
http://youtu.be/zNqoMjuksHw
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNqoMjuksHw

Engine run up
http://youtu.be/uAvmrzXfvLo
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAvmrzXfvLo

Take off #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGViHdqal9w


Turn it up!
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 04, 2011, 11:27:05 PM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub

The USS Lexington in Corpus is really a treat. Sooo big.
I really have to get down there.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Asmodean on November 04, 2011, 11:35:55 PM
I want to apply that sound to my VW Passat without incuring a catastrophic engine failure...  :'(
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Xjeepguy on November 04, 2011, 11:37:22 PM
That is amazing!!! That sound. This was a treat to wake up to. Thanks!
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 05, 2011, 01:12:06 AM
I'm tellin' ya...I told the ol' lady if she wants really good sex every night to play that soundtrack over and over and over and over....*chucklin*

I grew up during the late 50's and 60's. I was inundated by all those TV shows...12 O'clock High, Combat!, Hogans Hero's, Rat Patrol, McHale's Navy and probably a hundred movies.

You hear the growl of those radial engines on TV and the big screen....but damn, it just don't sound the same as in real life. And that's just one plane! Can you imagine the sound a squadron makes as they fly over?

And to think of the thousands that were made, only 10 or so are still flying.

Off topic, though, I know where there is a Heinkel III about 50 miles from me. It was featured in the movies The Battle of Britain and Patton. She no longer flies, but if I win the lottery, it'll be mine!
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Recusant on November 05, 2011, 04:06:07 AM
Thank you for the great pictures and the videos, Gawen. One of the few remaining B-17s burned down after a forced landing this past summer, so those that are left are that much more precious.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Gawen on November 05, 2011, 12:20:55 PM
Quote from: Recusant on November 05, 2011, 04:06:07 AM
Thank you for the great pictures and the videos, Gawen. One of the few remaining B-17s burned down after a forced landing this past summer, so those that are left are that much more precious.
I remember that. The pilots of the plane I visited and I were talking about that. Seems there was an engine fire on the "Liberty Bell". The pilot of the Bell turned around to make the airport. He decided that things could get out of hand rather quickly and to put down in a field. Realize now, that every fire department/district between the (still flying) plane and the airport had been notified.

So the Bell makes a near perfect landing, has more than enough time to get the passengers out, with the crew's luggage, only to stand near the plane wondering why the fire trucks stand at the edge of the field!

Seems the fire folks would rather let a 2.5 million dollar artifact go up in flames than rather one of their fire trucks POSSIBLY stuck in the field. Nevermind the faulty fire department logic of seeing a 38,000 pound airplane on 2 wheels make a perfect landing and not mired in the mud. Idiots.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: OldGit on November 05, 2011, 01:27:10 PM
I would give a great deal to get aboard that aircraft.
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Recusant on November 05, 2011, 04:54:41 PM
Quote from: Gawen on November 05, 2011, 12:20:55 PM
...So the Bell makes a near perfect landing, has more than enough time to get the passengers out, with the crew's luggage, only to stand near the plane wondering why the fire trucks stand at the edge of the field!

Seems the fire folks would rather let a 2.5 million dollar artifact go up in flames than rather one of their fire trucks POSSIBLY stuck in the field. Nevermind the faulty fire department logic of seeing a 38,000 pound airplane on 2 wheels make a perfect landing and not mired in the mud. Idiots.

I hadn't heard that detail. I can only imagine the frustration of the crew as they stood there with fire equipment not far off doing nothing. Inexcusable! (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rationalskepticism.org%2Fimages%2Fsmilies%2Ficon_picard.gif&hash=b2dceab09e7a8959ed846ec970ec9ed9047d8281)
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: McQ on November 05, 2011, 08:32:17 PM
Awesome photos and videos! The sound of those beautiful engines is beyond ecstasy. This thread is a total treat for gear heads, pilots, history buffs and people who are not dead!  ;)

Thanks!
Title: Re: A B17 just flew in
Post by: Tank on November 05, 2011, 09:01:48 PM
Quote from: McQ on November 05, 2011, 08:32:17 PM
Awesome photos and videos! The sound of those beautiful engines is beyond ecstasy. This thread is a total treat for gear heads, pilots, history buffs and people who are not dead!  ;)

Thanks!

And given the people who have responded to this thread a penis would appear to be a prerequisite so far  ;D