ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

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Joe Gopan
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ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu May 15, 2014 4:47 pm

It was 58 years ago this week that a U.S. Coast Guard version of the B-17 landed a Dow Field. Our office was about 400' off to one side o the main runway and aircraft were usually around 100' altitude when on final. This particular B-17 was returning from Internation Ice Patrol duty. It was the last active duty Flying Fort I saw.
Last edited by Joe Gopan on Fri Apr 15, 2016 3:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by Wolfman » Sun May 18, 2014 6:21 am

The Experimental Aircraft Association ( EAA ) still has one flying ( Aluminum Overcast ) and take it on tour around the country every summer to put on display at various airports.
Keep an eye out. They might come to your area.
For a slight fee, you can go inside and for moderate fee, you can even take a ride.
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Joe Gopan
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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun May 18, 2014 6:37 am

I was referring to those B-17's still in active US Military service. There were others at that time in use by South American air forces, the French had one or two for aerial survey (not military) and there was an unmarked black one that may have lasted into the 60's in Vietnam.
The currently operational B-17's are something to be cherished and a flight in one is something you will not forget. My wife and I flew in Sentimental Journey for our 35th anniversary. I got to spend some time with Carl Clark in Nine-0-Nine. Carl was a WWII Pathfinder Pilot and still current in the B-17 50 years later. If you want to experience fun and 100% positive attitude by all involved, take a warbird ride.
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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by jesse » Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:36 pm

The California Dept of Forestry was still flying the fortresses in 1984 to put out fires. I saw them flying in 1984 while home on leave in Redding. I went to the airport and took pictures of two of them. I remember as a kid hearing the roar of the radial engines overhead as they were on their way to a fire. B-17s, and A-26s. Jesse.

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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Jan 18, 2015 11:18 pm

One of the pilots who flew the last Coast Guard B-17 (PB-1G) passed away last month, Coast Guard Captain Lester Slate from Exeter Maine was 92 and had a long colorful career flying every fixed and rotary wing type the USCG had from WWII thru the 70's and even did a parachute jump in 2012 at the age of 90. Captain Slate was a gentleman with many colorful tales of his USCG adventures.
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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by Niblet » Mon Jan 19, 2015 3:11 am

Ben Dover wrote:It was 58 years ago this week that a U.S. Coast Guard version of the B-17 landed a Dow Field. Our office was about 400' off to one side o the main runway and aircraft were usually around 100' altitude when on final. This particular B-17 was returning from Internation Ice Patrol duty. It was the last active Flying Fort I saw.
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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by stever0_3 » Sun Jan 25, 2015 10:41 am

Jesse,

Do you have any pictures of the 2 California Dept of Forestry B17's you can post?

Regards

Steve

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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by Jim Gordon » Sun Jan 25, 2015 4:54 pm

Jess/Steve
After one heavy use of fire retardant in Northern California (mid 1970's), the Dispatch Office asked me and a friend to mix retardant all day one SundayMonday to replenish the nearly empty tanks. Part of that two day effort was an opportunity, to sit in the right seat during taxing, filling B-17 (the tail number) at the Redding, California Service Center. What a thrill, especially watching those props just out side the co-pilot seat, gave a new perspective on what our fathers did.

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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by stever0_3 » Thu Feb 05, 2015 2:30 pm

Jim,

Must have been awesome experience! Do you have any pics you can share?

Regards

Steve

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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by jesse » Sun Jun 21, 2015 12:25 pm

I havent visited this page in a while. Ill post the pictures I have.

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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by stever0_3 » Sat Jun 27, 2015 11:51 am

Hi Jesse,

Can you post your pics, very interested to see them.

Many thanks

Steve

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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by motto » Wed Jul 08, 2015 6:10 am

There is excellent air to air video of a B17 in flight over the Superstition Mountains and Sagauro Lake in Arizona. The aircraft is shown taking off from Falcon Field, Mesa and the video is set to the theme music from John Adams.
Google, 'Vimeo, WW2 Bombers over Arizona Landscape' or look for it on youtube. A B25 Mitchell is also shown.

David

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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by stever0_3 » Wed Jul 08, 2015 10:59 am

Hi Moto,

Can you post a video link or website address?

Regards

Steve

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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by motto » Wed Jul 08, 2015 5:02 pm

I don't know how to do that Steve but I can tell you where to find a link.
Go to the MLU Forum. (Maple Leaf Up)
From the index select 'World War 2 Military History & Equipment'.
Select 'Going to have a little fun on a B17 today'.
Scroll down to the last post on the thread and there is a link.

Perhaps you know how to place a link here?

David

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Re: ONE OF THE LAST ACTIVE FLYING FORTRESSES

Post by zepher11 » Wed Jul 08, 2015 6:06 pm

Zeph

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