05-09-2017, 12:07 AM
After the great get-together at Willard Saturday, I took a "bucket list" ride on a B-17 Sunday. The Madras Maiden operated by the Liberty Foundation was giving rides out of SLC. Come along with me via pictures...
![[Image: IMG_0982_zpsezmjjojs.jpg]](http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/RockyRaab/B17%20Flight%20May%2017/IMG_0982_zpsezmjjojs.jpg)
Firing up the Wright Cyclones
![[Image: IMG_1008_zpsgovotwr1.jpg]](http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/RockyRaab/B17%20Flight%20May%2017/IMG_1008_zpsgovotwr1.jpg)
Right turn after takeoff, photo taken from the open-air turtleback hatch. Don't lose your hat!
![[Image: IMG_1004_zpscq1hxvmp.jpg]](http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/RockyRaab/B17%20Flight%20May%2017/IMG_1004_zpscq1hxvmp.jpg)
Sitting across from me was a man who flew in B-17s in WWII. It was too loud to talk, and he couldn't remember some details, but he was clearly "flying other missions" here. Crisp salute, Warrior.
![[Image: IMG_1016_zpskb2pwvsz.jpg]](http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/RockyRaab/B17%20Flight%20May%2017/IMG_1016_zpskb2pwvsz.jpg)
Top Floor! Menswear and Funny Clocks
![[Image: IMG_1037_zpsasvtagzw.jpg]](http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/RockyRaab/B17%20Flight%20May%2017/IMG_1037_zpsasvtagzw.jpg)
The front office, where the real work of the plane was done.
![[Image: IMG_1027_zpsbvsadvqv.jpg]](http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/RockyRaab/B17%20Flight%20May%2017/IMG_1027_zpsbvsadvqv.jpg)
A pretty way to see Utah
![[Image: IMG_1043_zpsy8h7pxxp.jpg]](http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/RockyRaab/B17%20Flight%20May%2017/IMG_1043_zpsy8h7pxxp.jpg)
The fabled ball turret - actually the safest place in the plane during combat, if you were small enough to squeeze in.
![[Image: IMG_1057_zps2otrzw7n.jpg]](http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/RockyRaab/B17%20Flight%20May%2017/IMG_1057_zps2otrzw7n.jpg)
No bogeys today!
![[Image: IMG_1099_zpscqultahf.jpg]](http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/RockyRaab/B17%20Flight%20May%2017/IMG_1099_zpscqultahf.jpg)
Mission complete!
This plane was built in 1944, too late to see combat. It was a research aircraft, was sold as surplus, then used as a fire-ant spray plane, sat as a museum piece, and was finally restored to do these flights.
[signature]
Firing up the Wright Cyclones
Right turn after takeoff, photo taken from the open-air turtleback hatch. Don't lose your hat!
Sitting across from me was a man who flew in B-17s in WWII. It was too loud to talk, and he couldn't remember some details, but he was clearly "flying other missions" here. Crisp salute, Warrior.
Top Floor! Menswear and Funny Clocks
The front office, where the real work of the plane was done.
A pretty way to see Utah
The fabled ball turret - actually the safest place in the plane during combat, if you were small enough to squeeze in.
No bogeys today!
Mission complete!
This plane was built in 1944, too late to see combat. It was a research aircraft, was sold as surplus, then used as a fire-ant spray plane, sat as a museum piece, and was finally restored to do these flights.
[signature]