renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Share #1 Posted August 2, 2012 The 9 0 9 came to our local ariport so I took the day off work and went to see her. I got some nice pictures and met 3 8th AAF veterans. One had flown 51 missions as a ball turret gunner. Hope you like the pictures. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted August 2, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted August 2, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted August 2, 2012 I tried to take pictures from differant angles. I think most of us know what a B-17 looks like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted August 2, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted August 2, 2012 The pilots view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted August 2, 2012 The P-51 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted August 2, 2012 i have about 150 more pictures but I do not think the mods would like me to post any more. I had a great time. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted August 2, 2012 Share #9 Posted August 2, 2012 Thank you for posting the up close look at the plane. Love the pilot's view! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted August 2, 2012 Here is a view of the nose section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted August 2, 2012 The ball turret and waist section. Man it was a tight fit for this old fat guy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5thwingmarty Posted August 2, 2012 Share #12 Posted August 2, 2012 Try to imagine what it was like for them when the plane was bouncing around at 30,000 feet when it was 40 below, wearing 40 or 50 pounds of gear including an oxygen mask and portable bottle. Then try to imagine being that high, standing in the bombbay, not wearing your parachute because it was too bulky to move around in, trying to get a couple of 500-pound bombs unhung with only a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Gives you a whole new respect for the guys who did it day after day. Marty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 2, 2012 Share #13 Posted August 2, 2012 Here is a view of the nose section. Now thats an office with a view. Been in a B17 and B24.Most people dont realize how crammed they are.Never flown in one but have toured a few at our local airport and Oshkosh. Going to be a 51 here locally on sunday August 6th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 2, 2012 Share #14 Posted August 2, 2012 Try to imagine what it was like for them when the plane was bouncing around at 30,000 feet when it was 40 below, wearing 40 or 50 pounds of gear including an oxygen mask and portable bottle. Then try to imagine being that high, standing in the bombbay, not wearing your parachute because it was too bulky to move around in, trying to get a couple of 500-pound bombs unhung with only a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Gives you a whole new respect for the guys who did it day after day. Marty Or being to tall to fit in the ball turret.A relative in the 15th AAF was a gunner/radio operator but when he got to Italy and assigned to the unit they needed a ball gunner.He got the job.In order for them to close the lid he had to basiclly twist or lay his head at an angle.He told me he always carried his 45 with him as he had seen a plane land with the ball down.He wasnt sure if the gunner was alive when they touched down but he stated he wouldnt be if it happned to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #15 Posted August 2, 2012 Here is a picture of the walkway in the bombay to the radio room. It might be 6 inches across. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronxboymike Posted August 2, 2012 Share #16 Posted August 2, 2012 Steve, Thanks for posting the pics, I love the second picture. I have only seen a B-17 from a distance, so the close ups are cool. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claymore Posted August 2, 2012 Share #17 Posted August 2, 2012 Where are they???? I waana go see em! Maybe a ride? Claymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #18 Posted August 2, 2012 You can take a short ride for a cool $425.00. If I had the money I would have done it. I have to answer to a higher power though........my wife. Right now I just couldn't do it. There is always next year. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Signor Posted August 2, 2012 Share #19 Posted August 2, 2012 Hey awesome shot of 909 , but you should have gotten shots of the 8th veterans too , I'm sure the forum members would have liked to see them and knwo who they were ...................... I have got to see 909 a few times and was all over and in her too, she'a beaut for sure , the modified two place P-51 b/c is awesome also , got to see kermit weeks Red Tails bird awhile back and the other red tail at another airshow , always LOVVVVVVVVVED that 51 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share #20 Posted August 2, 2012 Johnny ....you are so right about getting pictures of the veterans I spoke with. I thought about that as I was driving home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted August 2, 2012 Share #21 Posted August 2, 2012 Those are great pics! I went inside the B17 outside the Chino Air Museum and I can also agree that it is a tight fit. Those guys had to be tough as nails to do that kind of job. I cant imagine what it was like when flak was bursting around the arcraft or when they were attacked by enemy fighters. Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Third Herd Posted August 3, 2012 Share #22 Posted August 3, 2012 Great photos of 909, I think it is the best restored B-17, and I've been in several of them. Several years ago I took my Dad to see and go through Aluminum Overcast, he was a WWII Infantry vet and couldn't believe how small the insides were. Going through the bomb bay, he remarked how did they do that with all that gear on. His cousin flew in the same squadron as the real Aluminum Overcast and was Operations Officer on the mission she went down. A few weeks ago 909, their B-24 and the P-51 was here, but it was too hot to go out, the air conditioner was broke down in my car. 909 did fly over the house once when it was here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMTB-242 Posted August 7, 2012 Share #23 Posted August 7, 2012 Amazing and fantastic pictures. Thank you for posting them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hellcat053 Posted August 7, 2012 Share #24 Posted August 7, 2012 Very nice pics,thank you for sharing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ram957 Posted August 8, 2012 Share #25 Posted August 8, 2012 In January 2011 I went to see Nine-0-Nine in Boca Raton. While there I had the pleasure to meet and speak to James "Reddo" Redmond,B-17 Pilot 351st Bomb Group , 509th Squadron. I enjoyed talking to him about his time with the Mighty 8th, in particular the Scweinfurt Missions that he flew on. Sadly he passed on in November of 2011...Here's a photo of him signing his book " Reddo's Raiders" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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