The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most iconic aircraft of World War II. It was a capable bomber, loved by crews and leaders alike. It was armed to the teeth with machine guns at pretty much every end of the plane, and it could take an unbelievable amount of damage. The ones that survived WWII went on to have careers well into the late 1950s, and today there are currently three airworthy examples. One example that can be seem touring the United States is Nine-o-Nine, owned by the Collings Foundation. A late-1945 B-17G, their airframe did not see combat, but did have a interesting life of it’s own, first with the Air/Sea Rescue squadron, then as part of the Military Air Transportation Service. In 1952 the plane was tested for it’s ability to tolerate nuclear mushroom clouds, then, after thirteen years, was restored and used as a water tanker for firefighting duties. In 1986 the plane was sold to the Collings Foundation, where it was restored with the livery and paint of the original Nine-o-Nine, which has since toured with other World War II-vintage planes across the country. (We got to see the aircraft up close last summer, which you can see HERE.)
The Chicagoland Skydiving Center got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to parachute from Nine-o-Nine last summer and the footage from it is just unbelievable. Until you are on-board one you really don’t get just how narrow a B-17 actually is, and I can only imagine the thoughts that race through your mind when the bay doors open and you look down at the landscape well below your feet.
The Wings of Freedom tour is currently in Brenham, Texas and will be making a tour of the Western United States over the next couple of months, going through New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington State. If you haven’t seen these warbirds in-person, you owe it to yourself to see them.
(Courtesy: Flight Club)
Amazing . . . only 3 that are airworthy. They built 12,731 B-17s during WWII.
Last I read it was about 15 of them still airworthy
Nothing to see here!
Lots of guys bailed out of B-17’s .
Sadly the planes were on fire and falling like a rock.
The survivors usually had a hostile reception team waiting for them when they landed.
Virgin Atlantic’s new super economy class wasn’t very popular………
Having jumped out of a perfectly good aircraft myself, I highly recommend my fellow Bangshifters to try skydiving one day.
There is nothing like the feeling of doing 120 mph without your car!
Amen to that! The first time I went is one of the greatest experiences of my life. I was scared out of my damn mind but so glad I went through with it. The ground looks really far away when you’re being dangled out the door of a plane. Excellent way to get over a fear of heights.
I’ve jumped with Chicagoland Skydiving Center before, great group of people and a very cool set up. This jump must have been particularly awesome.
Nothing like watching people fall to the earth….
I’ve never jumped out of a perfectly good aircraft but I have safely exited an aircraft while in flight, it belonged to the Air Force so I figured I take my chances with the parachute.
I think going 200 mph on my bike is more of a rush just because your so close to the ground . But that first non static line jump is really cool too .
” Blood upon the risers”