Diane bought me a ride on the EAA's (experimental aircraft association) B-17G Flying Fortress for my 38th birthday. I would get flyers in the mail everytime it came to the Chicago area and would leave them strategically around the house and she finally surprised me with it. It is the best birthday gift an airplane fanatic like me could get.
I was able to sit behind the copilot for take off and landing and our group of eight had the run of the old girl while airborne. It was a great experience and gave me a new apprciation for the men that made up the crews during WWII.
Sitting way up front in the bombadiers position while in flight gave me the chills. It was frightening to imagine what it must have been like to see a squadron of Germen Me109 or FW-190 fighters turn and swoop down from above for a frontal attack, the most vulnerable spot on the B-17, especially on earlier versions. Most of the guys were just boys, half my age at 17 or 18 years old. Many of them are passing on now if they were lucky enough to make it home from the war. They hold a special place in my heart.
My wife Diane and "Aluminum Overcast", my RV-7 will be named "Miss Diane"
