Thurs. 1315 hrs PDT California time. I just heard the sound of multi radial engines and walked outside and a B-29 Superfortress flew over my home probably around 3,500 feet altitude. The B-29 was following the I-210 west bound in the San Gabriel Valley. Must be an air show somewhere in So-Cal this weekend. Anyone else in the IE, L.A. County or OC observe the B-29 ?
I remember seeing these old planes at airshows as a kid in the late 80s and through the 90s. I'm amazed there are still some around that aren't just in one piece, but are actually air worthy. Jets are more impressive to watch, but there's something to be admired and respected about the craftsmanship that went into these(especially since they were likely produced at a very quick pace to meet the needs of the war) as well as the love and attention the surviving ones have been given to remain in the condition they are.
Yea, it was here in Norcal recently (or is coming up here soon - not sure). It is part of a "roaming" air show, making appearances at airports so people can see or ride in it. I looked into it after I got a memo about it. Was something like $65 to just go up and see the plane, $500 for a 1 hour ride. Yea, for that they can pound sand.
That's awesome! Being about 40 miles from Ellington Field which does a big air show each year, I sometimes see old war planes flying over my house. Also see modern stuff every now and then. Very cool About 3 years ago, I gladly paid the price to fly in "Texas Raiders," a restored B-17. Yes, it was expensive, but the money is used to keep her flying - was well worth it. I rode in the bombardier seat right in the front. My wife was in the navigator's seat just behind me. Great experience. I am in awe of those young men who flew in those planes in WWII.
Your correct Mushroom. The B-29 I saw just over an hour ago has probably already landed at Van Nuys Airport. Van Nuys & Los Angeles, CA: B-29 Doc Flight Experience & Ground Tours September 20 - September 23 B-29 Doc will be hosted by Clay Lacy Aviation (7435 Valjean Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406), Friday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 22. Gates will open Friday, Sept. 20 for static ground and flight deck tours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ground and flight deck tours will also be available Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., following morning ride flights. Admission for the static display event and flight deck tours will be $10 per person. The flight schedule for the B-29 Doc Flight Experience is 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22. BOOK YOUR SEAT ON DOC TODAY! Click here to purchase tickets NOW! Visitors can enter the event in Van Nuys at Clay Lacy Aviation (7435 Valjean Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406). Tickets for static ground and flight deck tours can be purchased at the event. https://www.b29doc.com/event/van-nuys-los-angeles-ca-b-29-doc-flight-experience-ground-tours/
Yea, that is the group that just left Chico. Tickets for a ride this time, $600-1,500. For a 30 minute flight. Not just no, but hell no. I know it costs money to put this on, but that seems highly excessive.
Maybe the reason it cost so much is that California is taxing the B-29 ? Wouldn't surprise me. $10. just to walk through the B-29 !!!!
A bit over 2 decades ago I had the pleasure of volunteering on an air force base, in so cal. I had the honor of the padlock codes and master keys to get into most of them-and so I did. I loved it all.
~ I have seen a few of these old war wings at the Burbank Airport ( formerly Lockheed ) here in So. California. Jay Leno interviewed one of the original crew members. I wonder if you mind telling us what it was like flying in one ?
Yeah man, the Confederate Air Force. I wouldn't want to pay directly just for the meals of the guys and gals who do the corrosion control, much less the entire maintenance crew and crew chief. But I would consider paying for a ride, you know it can't be cheap. Think of all the greats who flew in that bird. Yeah, I know the Confederate Air Force changed the name for the sake of political correctness, but I just keep forgetting the new name. A boat is a hole in the water into which you throw money and an aircraft just sitting on the ground bleeds money.
Well, I'm really glad I spent the money to take the flight. For me and my wife, it was somewhat over $1200. Some may cringe at that, but since the money is used for maintenance of the plane, I was glad to help out. I've always been fascinated with the WWII air war and the individuals who flew in those planes, so I got to feel what it was like physically to be up in a bomber. Granted, the emotional part was way different than it was in 1943/44 due to the fact that we weren't expecting any flak or ME109s shooting at us. Still, I tried to imagine what the crews were feeling as they headed across the channel back then. The bombardier's seat gave a wonderful view out front, although I spent as much time looking at stuff inside the plane as I did looking at the ground and the sky. The Norden bombsight was still "functional," meaning I could look through it and see the ground. There were various original placards on the fuselage on how to set the bombsight for the different types of ordinance that might be on the plane. At the bombardier's position were the controls for the twin turret-mounted 50 cal machine guns in the lower nose, and a 50 cal machine gun was positioned to the left and to the right in "bubbles" in the fuselage. The guns had 50 cal rounds belted together and fed from ammo boxes like the real thing (I'm sure they were dummies). From the cramped quarters and limited visibility with the guns, I imagine it was near impossible to hit an enemy fighter that was attacking. We flew for 30 minutes, I guess we never went above 5,000 feet or so. The plane seemed graceful in its turns as the pilots flew us over the country-side, although there were a lot of vibrations in the fuselage. I remember thinking how fragile the plane seemed, with the lightweight aluminum structure and thin aluminum skin being all that separated the inside from the outside - yet the B-17 was actually pretty tough and could withstand a lot of damage and keep flying. I had a great view of the landing from the front of the plane. Once on the ground, we exited, and again got a chance to take photos around the plane. Was a great experience for sure, and just may do it again sometime. The Commemorative Air Force also has at least one B-25 that is sometimes available for flights, would like to fly in that one too.
