B-17 Visit to Cedar Rapids

[wxman1]

The local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will be hosting our B-17 Aluminum Overcast the weekend of October 23rd but we need your help! For it to come we need to presell at least 30 seats on the flights. Yes...I know they are expensive but it is not cheap to operate a four engined WWII bomber.

You can visit B17.org to find out more and book your flight! It will be available for exterior ground tours as well but due to COVID taking a flight will be the only way to get inside.

 

[Cycsk]

That would be awesome for a flyover before the game on Saturday!

 

[wxman1]

That would be awesome for a flyover before the game on Saturday!

I purposely scheduled it for an away game weekend.

Unfortunately Iowa is on the road that weekend as well so we can't do a flyover there either.

 

[mywayorcyway]

Too bad with COVID that people can't peek inside. Amazing what folks flew around in 80 years ago. So much metal and sharp edges!

For those into this kind of thing, Tucson has an amazing air and space museum. It is HUGE. Much of it is outdoors, I could wander around that place for days.

 

[wxman1]

Too bad with COVID that people can't peek inside. Amazing what folks flew around in 80 years ago. So much metal and sharp edges!

For those into this kind of thing, Tucson has an amazing air and space museum. It is HUGE. Much of it is outdoors, I could wander around that place for days.

If this doesn't work out we will likely get it next year when hopefully COVID is much less of a factor and we can move back to normal operations of tours through the aircraft. Bonus will be that our recently refurbished B-25 will be touring with it as well.

 

[somecyguy]

Too bad with COVID that people can't peek inside. Amazing what folks flew around in 80 years ago. So much metal and sharp edges!

For those into this kind of thing, Tucson has an amazing air and space museum. It is HUGE. Much of it is outdoors, I could wander around that place for days.

Pima air museum. Been there probably half a dozen times. Really cool place.

 

[AgronAlum]

Pima air museum. Been there probably half a dozen times. Really cool place.

The air and space museum out at Dulles is one of my favorite places I’ve ever been to.

Grissom Air Museum in Peru, IN is a great way to kill a few hours too. I think it was 8 bucks to get in and is mostly outdoors.








They evidently used to test ejections out of this using live bears.

 

[flycy]

If you think a B-17 is expensive, try getting the FIFI, the B-29. Warms the heart to see the Tweet in the last photo.

 

[motorcy90]

the Strategic Air Museum over in Ashland NE is worth a visit as well, went there end of July well worth a visit.

 

[mywayorcyway]

If you think a B-17 is expensive, try getting the FIFI, the B-29. Warms the heart to see the Tweet in the last photo.

I was able to crawl into Fifi at the Mesa Gateway airport a few years ago. Later on we watched them fire it up and take off. Very cool. I believe the crew said it took them 2 years from conception to active duty when they put it together way back when. Astounding.

 

[deadeyededric]

There is an old Boeing 707 that I see flying in/out of Des Moines on a regular basis. I see it on Fridays especially. The engines just scream. Obviously its not used for passenger service anymore and it's not military. Is it a cargo plane?

 

[NWICY]

Too bad with COVID that people can't peek inside. Amazing what folks flew around in 80 years ago. So much metal and sharp edges!

For those into this kind of thing, Tucson has an amazing air and space museum. It is HUGE. Much of it is outdoors, I could wander around that place for days.

How does that one stack up to the one next to Omaha?

 

[flycy]

There is an old Boeing 707 that I see flying in/out of Des Moines on a regular basis. I see it on Fridays especially. The engines just scream. Obviously its not used for passenger service anymore and it's not military. Is it a cargo plane?

You sure it's not military. I don't know of anyone who flies 707s yet but WC-135s and OC-135s (military versions just slightly different than B707) fly out of Offutt. I say those models because they still have the older louder and smokey tf-33 engines. They are white on top, light gray on the lower half with some black. KC-135s out of Sioux City are gray but would not"scream" with newer CFM56 engines.

 

[deadeyededric]

You sure it's not military. I don't know of anyone who flies 707s yet but WC-135s and OC-135s (military versions just slightly different than B707) fly out of Offutt. I say those models because they still have the older louder and smokey tf-33 engines. They are white on top, light gray on the lower half with some black.

It may have been. I know the paint scheme you are talking about, but I didn't think it really looked like that. I remember telling my co-worker it looked like a Quantas plane from the 1950's. I'm guessing you are probably right and I am just mistaken. I'm not sure of anyone else who would be flying a similar plane besides the military. I love those old B707's and the military conversions.

 

[mywayorcyway]

How does that one stack up to the one next to Omaha?

I've never been so I couldn't compare it for you. Definitely worth the trip if you're ever in the desert.

Home - Pima Air & Space

Experience over 400 aircraft, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. Plan your visit and explore 6 hangars & 80 acres of aviation history.

pimaair.org

 

[AgronAlum]

Anyone that likes aviation in the least bit needs to go to the one at Dulles. Seeing the Enola gay, SR-22, a Concorde, the space shuttle discovery, among a ton of others is a surreal experience. That place is paaaacked with crazy cool airplanes, helicopters and satellites.

 

[wxman1]

Sounds like we need to have a CF meetup at Airventure next year! You all would love it!