Collings Foundation B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator

Following close on the heels of the EAA's Ford TriMotor, the Collings Foundation brough their B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator to the DuPage Airport in the Chicago suburbs, along with other vinatge aircraft from the Second Word War. You've probably noticed by now that I'm kind of into old aircraft. So when a colleague at work told me about the visit, I scheduled a trip for AB and I to go see the planes.

The Collings Foundation's B-17 Flying Fortress (photo courtesy of Warbird Alley)....

AB climbs the ladder to board the B-17 through the nose hatch....

...Checks out the Navigator and Bombadier's positions in the nose of the B-17....

....Moves down the fuselage, AB passes through the bomb bay and inspects the bombload - gifts for the Third Reich below...

...Perches atop the B-17's ball turret. Being as small as he is, AB's well suited to fly the ball turret....

...Inspects the right waist gunner's .50 calibre machine gun and prepares for action....

...Scans the sky for Luftwaffe fighters lurking in the sun preparing to pounce...

...Spots an Me-109. He waits for the Luftwaffe fighter to come into range before opening fire...

....Pours hot lead with "Ma Deuce" into the nimble Me-109....

....And watches as the remains of the stricken Me-109 plumment back to earth...

Another succesful mission completed , AB returns to base to enjoy an aerial victory with an ice cream bar...

First Flight In General Aviation Aircraft

This weekend the Experimental Aircraft Association had their 1929 Ford TriMotor flying at the Morris, Ilinois Airport and offering rides to the general public.

Seeing as it was my birthday and AB has yet to go for his first ride in a real airplane (meaning one that has propellers, a round piston engine, and a tailwheel), DW and I decided to make the trip. My parents met us at the Morris Airport and we all had a good time.

AB enjoyed it the most. He was captivated by the airplane and being close enough to the ground to actually see things below us and notice our speed. He also really liked chaing the airport cat around and climbing under and through everything after the poor feline.

Here we are by aircraft's the fuselage....

AB as he's boarding the aircraft.....

AB looking down from the co-pilot's window.....

AB at the co-pilot's yoke......

AB captivated looking out the window......

Nungesser and AB aloft......

Our exit after landing......

My father bought AB a toy Ford TriMotor.....

And not long after that AB removed the wheels and asked me to help him put them back on.....

And that poor cat AB pursued......