EAA B-17 Experience

[Mad Hatter]

I had a chance to dress up for a ride in the EAA's B-17 Aluminium Overcast this summer. Very worthwhile if it ever comes to your area. I grew up watching episodes of 12 O'Clock High which gave me an enduring love for the B-17 and I suspect my love of the WW2 USAAF Pinks and Greens. Was there ever a better era for such stylish uniforms?

 

[kampkatz]

I had a chance to dress up for a ride in the EAA's B-17 Aluminium Overcast this summer. Very worthwhile if it ever comes to your area. I grew up watching episodes of 12 O'Clock High which gave me an enduring love for the B-17 and I suspect my love of the WW2 USAAF Pinks and Greens. Was there ever a better era for such stylish uniforms?
View attachment 67735

Some years ago while at the Reading, PA WW2 Weekend, portraying an AAF chaplain, I was given the privilege to sit in the nose of a B-17. A memorable experience since I too enjoyed the 12 O'Clock High Series (mostly the first season) as a teen. Both my late father and father in-law served in the AAF, although in ground support roles. I am happy to still have my father-in-law's uniform. As an engineer he supervised runway construction.

 

[Stearmen]

Congratulations! I am sure you now have enough memories for 10 lifetimes!

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Who was the pilot of the -17 when you went for a flight? Kent Holiday, by chance? He is a good friend of mine. I also grew up watching the great TV series 12 O'Clock High. Robert Lansing was awesome in the leading role as Gen. Frank Savage. While I like Paul Burke, he was never quite up to the task of carrying the show the way that Lansing did.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Loraine and Ken Morris. Loraine was Commander, Ken Co-Pilot... I'd agree 12 O'Clock High and Lansing seemed to go hand in hand for me as well. I recently been rewatching the series after about fifty years of seeing it on TV. I'm impressed with how accurate it is if a little preachy. I'd like to see the Original Movie sometime as well but don't want to purchase it just to view it once.