I got to take my grandfather's crew position on a B-24 bomber

[streetroc]

In 1944 my grandfather flew 30 combat missions over Germany as the navigator on a B-24 bomber. Today there is only one B-24 in the world that is still flying. A few days ago my dad and I flew on Diamond Lil and I had the honor of taking my grandfather's crew position behind the co-pilot during takeoff. I carried his wings with me.

 

[palmettomoon]

Neat!

 

[THREEJAYS]

That is really neat just to be able to take a flight but with your story it’s really special

 

[jaxyaks]

Thats awesome!

 

[alleycat]

Gives me goosebumps. Good for you man!

 

[streetroc]

That is really neat just to be able to take a flight but with your story it’s really special

I've been flying airplanes for a long time but this was the most emotional flight that I've ever made. Sitting in the cockpit feeling the vibration and hearing the roar of those four radial engines really made me appreciate what it must have felt like for a 20 year old from rural Indiana.

I was also very surprised at how much physical strength it took to man the gun positions, especially the waist guns. The 200 mph wind forces those big 50 cals back against the fuselage and you really have to put your back into it to move them around. I can't imagine aiming at enemy fighters like that.

 

[streetroc]

Gives me goosebumps. Good for you man!

Yeah my eyes got a little sweaty on that flight.

 

[HERMET]

Out freaking standing.

 

[Stampede]

That is great! I'm sure you'll never forget those memories! Love the B-24!

I flew in the EAA B-17 Aluminum Overcast about 12 years ago and am glad I did it.

Don't forget the B-24J "Witchcraft" operated by the Collings Foundation - she is the only other B-24 still flying.

The Collings Foundation - Preserving Living Aviation History

The Collings Foundation is a non-profit educational foundation devoted to supporting living history events to encourage learning by participation. Flying a fleet of ...

www.collingsfoundation.org

 

[THREEJAYS]

My preachers wife’s grandpa was a ball turret gunner on a B17 and flew 33 missions. I got to meet him and read his journal he kept during his missions, that was cool. His plane was named. Elmers Tunes