My B24 ride

[the lancaster kicks ass]

they bolted seats to the top of the bomb bay in FM213, they had to check the structure of the bomb bay that could take 14,000lbs to see if it could take the weight of a man!

[Nonskimmer]

Well, as you love to continuously point out, it's civilian owned. It's therefore subject to civilian aviation regulations, and being a flying antique and only one of two in the world, they often tend to treat it like it's made of glass. I really can't say I blame them.
Where the RAF owns the BBMF Lancaster, they can pretty much do what they please with it, from what I understand. The museum folks in Hamilton don't have quite as much leeway. They're covering their asses. Especially if passengers are to be carried.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I would check it also, the Lanc is over 60 years old. It could lose its integrity over time.

[Aggie08]

Whichever turret you could grab yourself a seat in though... imagine how sweet that would be! Anyone know how tall a person a turret could accomodate?

[syscom3]

The rear turret was roomy. That was the only one I sat in.

[[Gavca]CrossBones]

Amazing, Syscom3............look guy!!

[syscom3]

I think I could have sat in the B24 top turret, but I didnt because in the preflight briefing we were told that the only thing you will see is sky, which gets boring.

The B24 nose turret was off limits because the turret had some fragile parts to it. (even though it was nearly identicle to the rear turret which you could get in.)

I cant remember why the B17 tail and upper turrets were off limits. It could be that if they hit some turbulence, you could easily bang your head against the guns and get hurt.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Originally Posted by syscom3

I cant remember why the B17 tail and upper turrets were off limits. It could be that if they hit some turbulence, you could easily bang your head against the guns and get hurt.

That is probably the reason right there.

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by syscom3

Pics of the B17 in formation with us

skycom,

For the last 15 years that the Collings planes have been in my area , frequently after the B17 lands and passengers debark, I ask them how they enjoyed the 1/2 hour ride, I've yet to find one person that said that lt wasn't worth the cost.

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by book1182

Great story!!! I got lucky one day and we had a B-17 at Lunken Airport giving rides. Usually the day before they start doing paid rides they do some PR work for the newspapers and TV news. My boss had always told me that he would get a free ride whenever he wanted but he hated flying so he always turned them down. Long story short. I got to go on a free ride. It's been my only ride in a World War 2 aircraft and one that I will never forget.

The plane pictured is a B17C or D, it was never used in combat

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by syscom3

I think I could have sat in the B24 top turret, but I didnt because in the preflight briefing we were told that the only thing you will see is sky, which gets boring.

The B24 nose turret was off limits because the turret had some fragile parts to it. (even though it was nearly identicle to the rear turret which you could get in.)

I cant remember why the B17 tail and upper turrets were off limits. It could be that if they hit some turbulence, you could easily bang your head against the guns and get hurt.

If you are reffering to the Collings B17, the tail compartment was used to store equipment, and personal belongings of the traveling Collings people. The upper turret was off limits because it was too close to the planes flight controls

[syscom3]

Thanks JHOR!

Mystery solved.

By the way, I heard plenty of complaints in my ride in the b17 and b24. They were all of the "I wanted to fly the plane" and "cant we fly a little bit longer"