A day with some old aluminium and rivets


Going up in a B17 this weekend...
(Mousy Tongue ...Generally bemused by life..., Mon 17 May 2010, 7:06, 15 replies)

That's a Lancaster

(Super Oaf Petit filous?, Mon 17 May 2010, 8:26, closed)

Maybe
He meant 'played about in this lancaster 'ere and then this weekend we're going to be flying a B17'. Surely dear god if you have been this close to a Lancaster you should know what it is, even the pretty pictures on the side have a certain RAF-ness about them. Lucky bastard though...
(mersault, Mon 17 May 2010, 9:18, closed)

Lucky son-of-a
Very jealous!
(Himjim died a little more inside on, Mon 17 May 2010, 9:33, closed)

aren't there only 2 working B-17's in the world?
One is in canada, and is broken at the mo, and one in Duxford.
How'd you manage that?
(shanterbabs, Mon 17 May 2010, 14:08, closed)

I' ve had a very close look at the above Lanc.
And I've been in Sally B a couple of times (although not actually flown in her). I've stood behind her as she geared up to taxi and it's rather drafty...
I miss working at airshows.
( Colonel Boris "...a desperate Buzzfeed imitation...", Mon 17 May 2010, 14:56, closed)

I live only 20 minutes away from ^her^ (Just Jane: the Lancaster)
as well as being under the flight path of the Battle of Britain Memorial flight, so quite often get the big bugger thundering over the back garden all 4 engines roaring...Never fails to make me smile :D
( The magic of chutney Shakes it like an Instagram filter!, Mon 17 May 2010, 15:03, closed)

plane spotter alert..
17 left in museums and only two flying Lancs left in the world, BBMF battle of britain memorial flight and the Canadian warplane heritage flight (they made and flew them over there too) which I think you can buy a ride in and another one here that can taxi maintained by the linconshire aviation heritage museum. B17's 58 left, 11 i think currently flying and in the states you can get ride in some flying ones in places like Kermit Weeks planes of fame museum in Florida, but v expensive to do so.
i can it give it up anytime..honest...
(nimrodihnio making gravy for one., Mon 17 May 2010, 15:26, closed)

Yes, to clarify, this is Just Jane, near Woodhall Spa
...And, as yet, she doesn't fly, though I understand that may change in the future. Just after my mum died, I thought a road trip, with this as a highlight would be a good pick-me-up for my dad (and me), so we did HMS Victory, Hendon, Duxford, East Kirkby and the Shuttleworth collection in a long weekend. It was reassuringly expensive.

As for the B17, Aluminum Overcoat gives 22 minute flights, and as I now live some 10 miles from one of its stopping points, I'd be churlish not to. (and at $399, it's cheaper than the taxi run in the Lanc)


(Mousy Tongue ...Generally bemused by life..., Mon 17 May 2010, 16:36, closed)

very impressed, though i read an article that the museum wouldnt want lose their main attraction and the revenue while they took the 5 years to make back to flight condition, i do hope it does make it back up where it belongs.
fantastic getting up in the B17 hope it is as amazing as it sounds. I did a Stearman flight at Kitty Hawk a few years back when i was working in NC a few years back, worth every cent of the $120 for the 20 minute flight.
(nimrodihnio making gravy for one., Mon 17 May 2010, 18:44, closed)

The most wonderful sound in the world
Four Merlins droning overhead at Truckfest 3 years ago.

Lovely remark from a mate:

LittleScars: "What's that big plane?"

Mate: "That's the reason you're not speaking German"
(all my scars face forward possesses 2.5% of a hyperalloy combat chassis, Mon 17 May 2010, 23:18, closed)

I like that response

(Subway Riding the rails underground, Tue 18 May 2010, 2:46, closed)

Had 2 of these over my house a while back
Vroooooooooom

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqBHMjBXCsw
(Speshal, Tue 18 May 2010, 9:58, closed)

That would be money well spent.
(Snapper-head loves a twinky anytime but especially when it's, Tue 18 May 2010, 1:21, closed)

Interesting
I believe that there are a couple of working B-17's here in the States. I know one is called "Fuddy Duddy" and has Elmer Fudd painted on it. I just got back from a week long road trip (almost 4000 miles in my Honda). Saw two Battleships, the North Carolina and the Alabama. While the NC is in pristine shape and a marvel, the Alabama is a little worse for wear. However the Alabama, has an assortment of Tanks, a B52, some cannons, the Submarine USS Drum, and an aircraft hanger with other vintage aircraft. If anyone wants me to post some pictures let me know.
(Subway Riding the rails underground, Tue 18 May 2010, 2:43, closed)

ooo nice
I sat in the same place in The City Of Lincoln when I was about 14 years old.
( shitkicker, Tue 18 May 2010, 13:50, closed)