My Own Sentimental Journey

Sentimental Journey flies out of Elko today at 11am and as promised... a little Sentimental Journey of my own.

The first shot was taken of me with Sentimental Journey at an airshow in Paradise Valley, Arizona in 1985.
The middle shot was taken of me at the Ogden, Utah airport in 1994 and the third shot (which I am reflected in the polished metal in blue) was taken last Sunday in Wendover, NV.
Interestingly enough my son is behind me in the metal reflection. (Incidentally in his photos, he is the same age I am in the first photo.)

The last shot is my son manning the waist gun port on the starboard side.

I guess I am passing the torch to my son. Maybe in 24 years he will post photos of himself and perhaps his kids with Sentimental Journey.

1985

1994

2009

Sentimental Journey Nose Art

The nose of Sentimental Journey is sporting Betty Grable in one of the most recognizable pin-up poses of World War II.

I can almost hear the music playing in the background.

The Chin Turret

Sentimental Journey Day 2

Specifications (B-17G):

Engines: Four 1,200-hp Wright R-1820-97 Cyclone turbocharged radial piston engines Weight: Empty, 36,135 lbs.,
Max Takeoff, 65,500 lbs.

Wing Span: 103ft. 9in.
Length: 74ft. 4in.
Height: 19ft. 1in.
Performance: Maximum Speed at 25,000 ft: 287 mph
Cruising Speed: 182 mph
Ceiling: 35,800 ft.
Range: 2,000 miles with 6,000 lb. bomb load
Armament: 13 12.7-mm (0.5-inch) machine guns

Sentimental Journey Fly-By

Right on schedule, Sentimental Journey does a fly-by of the field before lining up for a landing.

I am not gonna lie... I was a little giddy!

More tomorrow.

Sentimental Journey

My fascination with World War II aircraft is no secret.
This week one of the most famous aircraft of that era is going to be sitting at Elko Airport from Monday lunchtime until Friday at 11am. The B-17 Flying Fortress.

The B-17 in question (this engine belongs to her) is the 100% restored B-17G, Sentimental Journey, of the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force.

I took a sneak peek at this beautifully restored aircraft Sunday while it was on static display at the Historic Airfield in Wendover, Nevada.
Yes, I drove two hours, yesterday, to see an aircraft that will be in my back yard today.
If you did not know, the Wendover Airfield is where the crew of the Enola Gay trained for its fateful date with history.

I am saving the big reveal of the entire aircraft for tomorrow.
Today I am camping out on my lunch hour to try and get a shot of this beauty flying into Elko. I get goose bumps just thinking about it.
The roar of four of these huge engines will fill my ears as this magnificent aircraft comes in for a landing.
You can even take a ride on her, 45 minutes of heaven in the sky.

Unfortunately, for me, this time around I will only be a spectator.

At the end of the week there will be a special treat.
I will post a picture of me beside this aircraft when I first encountered it back in 1985... I had hair back then, lots of it! LOL!