B-17 first flight.July 28, 1935

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber aircraft, which dropped more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II, made its first flight.July 28, 1935

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the then United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Competing against Douglas and Martin for a contract to build 200 bombers, the Boeing entry outperformed both competitors and more than met the Air Corps' expectations. Although Boeing lost the contract because the prototype crashed, the Air Corps was so impressed with Boeing's design that they ordered 13 more B-17s for further evaluation. From its introduction in 1938, the B-17 Flying Fortress evolved through numerous design advances.

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I flew on a B-17 --see the video I took on YouTube

B-17 Flying Fortress bomber Pilot passes

This photo is of a B-17 that I flew on this past year. After only airborne for 45 minutes total, I have the greatest respect for Mr. Gay. A hero indeed after 51 missions.
Jack Demaree See more photos

Greeley Gay of Versailles 1918 - 2011
After Pearl Harbor, with more serious intention, he was enrolled in the Army Air Corps, training as a pilot. He received his pilot’s certification and his wings on June 26, 1943, and headed to Europe in the late fall of 1943. Piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber out of an 8th Air Force base in the midlands of England, he flew twelve missions over France and Germany. He then transferred to the 15th Air Force in Foggia, Italy. He flew the remainder of his 51 bombing missions over Italy, France, Germany and Eastern Europe. He received the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters. He returned to the US in late summer of 1944, and continued instructor’s training and flying training missions over the US. He was discharged from the Army as a First Lieutenant in the Summer of 1945.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Today I fly in a B-17
Film at 11:00

Click image to enlarge

Back on the ground safe and sound. Here are the photos of the flight.
http://picasaweb.google.com/jack.demaree/B1710110#
The video is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKItNw3aHLY

Thank you EAA

Fly in the B-17

EAA is offering historic flight experiences in its beautifully restored B-17G Flying Fortress “Aluminum Overcast.” This aircraft is an example of the American heavy bomber that helped turn the tide of battle in World War II. Fly a mission back in time and feel the might of this magnificent aircraft, just as those brave young men did more than 50 years ago.
http://www.b17.org/
Come go with me, I'm going !