B-17

 

The Experimental Aircraft Association's B-17 stopped in town this weekend and I have a chance to fly in it with Reese Mead.
This B-17G Flying Fortress was built in 1945 and restored by the EAA is one of only a few still flying. It is powered by four Curtiss Wright 9 cylinder radial engines and has a fuel capacity of 1700 gallons which are around $5 each at the airport. During the war it flew with a crew of ten which is how many passengers it now carries. Inside it is very crowded, you need to turn sideways to get through the bomb bay and to get to the nose gunners position you crawl through a narrow passageway. I'm sure the crew of 18-20 year olds had a much easier time than we did getting into through the tight spaces.