This particular plane flew in the Pacific during the war, nuclear testing during the 1950's and later before retiring for forest fighting missions. I am told by some of the crew that there are only 4 left flying today in the US. Let me tell you it was quite a sight to watch this plane land.
The plane carried 13 .50 caliber machine guns and 8000 lbs. of bombs and it was told to me it is very noisy and cramped inside when flying.
Sitting in the jump seats just waiting to fly :)
Shooting the big guns !
Navigation area
Top machine gun
Bombs
Cockpit of the B17 and flight controls.
Kadence and Joel in the section that carried the bombs.
Looking up into the bottom gunner hold..
3 comments:
What a neat opportunity you guys had to see this plane. Kadence looks like he was having a grand time with his daddy:) It was good to see the picture with the mountains in the background. Oh, how my heart yearns at times to breath that fresh air and enjoy the beauty of the area there. Take care and hugs to each of you.
Angela, I wonder if you told Kadence that his Great Grandfather Petersen used to fly in B17s' like this as well as most of the other aircraft the airforce had. Initially he was assigned as an electronics/radio instructor as they determined that he was particularly "good" at what he did. As a result of his abilities and much to his chagrin they (U.S. Airforce)quickly gave him an assignment as "chief" instructor in charge of educating/training a large number of the communications & "radio" people. You see, he really wanted to be where the "action" was all the time. But they felt he was much more valuable using his knowledge and abilities to teach/communicate the needed critical competencies that was required.
Mom reminded me that we have several pictures given to us from your grandmother Petersen of those type of aircraft.
W/love-
Signed,
DAD (using your Mom's site ID).
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