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Nine-O-Nine: The Collings Foundation’s B-17 Flying Fortress
Story Courtesy of
The Collings Foundation
The sixth annual Bomber Camp held at Taigh Ramey’s Vintage Aircraft in Stockton, California was held on May 29-30 featuring the Collings Foundation’s famous B-17 Nine-O-Nine. Being used for the first time to drop 250 lb. concrete bombs this former air-sea rescue SB-17G s/n 44-83575 had last dropped a lifeboat more than 60 years ago prior to taking on this new role. Since its start in 2008 Bomber Camp had used the B-24J ‘All American’ to make the bomb drops, however his year Nine-O-Nine was called on to make two missions at the popular event. Taigh Ramey used the Norden bombsight in Nine—O-Nine to lineup his target for the drop. Safety was observed at all times with Jerry Anderson flying the chase/photo aircraft for the flights. (Jim Dunn) The most widely recognized and revered aircraft type of World War II, the B-17 Flying Fortress, takes to the skies again. The B-17G (Serial # 44-83575) has been returned to its wartime configuration under the auspices of the nonprofit Collings Foundation of Stow, MA and given the name Nine-O-Nine.
The Collings Flying Fortress was built at Long Beach, Calif. by the Douglas Aircraft Company and accepted on April 7, 1945. Although she was too late for combat, #44-83575 did serve as part of the Air/Sea 1st Rescue Squadron and later in the Military Air Transport Service.
In April 1952, #44-83575 was instrumented and subjected to the effects of three different nuclear explosions. After a thirteen-year “cool down” period, #44-83575 was sold as part of an 800-ton scrap pile and Aircraft Specialties Company began the restoration of the aircraft.
Living History at Planes of Fame Aug. 3
Two EAA Members Striving to Be Youngest Solo Circumnavigators
Fifteen Million Global Visits to “The Davis-Monthan Airfield Register” Online Spurs Launch of Five New Aviation History Web sites
Still Time to Apply for EAA/Ninety-Nines Flight Training Scholarship
Virgin Galactic Breaks Speed of Sound in First Rocket-Powered Flight of SpaceShipTwo
Cessna Turbo Skylane JT-A Takes First Production Flight
Cessna Aircraft Company has announced the first production flight of its Turbo Skylane 182 JT-A took place late in May at the company’s facility in Independence, Kan.
GAMA Pleased with Introduction of Small Aircraft Revitalization Act in Senate
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) welcomed the introduction of the Small Aircraft Revitalization Act of 2013 by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and
GAMA Files Comments in Support of FAA Airman Certification Standards for Pilot Training
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has filed comments on the draft Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for private pilot and instrument ratings. The comments strongly support the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) efforts to
GAMA Awards Edward W. Stimpson and Dr. Harold S. Wood Scholarships
Naval Air Forces Commander Calls X-47B Catapult Launch from USS George H.W. Bush a Pivotal Milestone in Naval Aviation
It's Starting: GA Asked to Absorb FAA Budget Shortfalls
General aviation is wearing the target as the FAA looks for revenue, with the agency appearing to be readying a plan to add burdens on recreational aviators with increased costs for a variety of activities. This is occurring even after the Congress enacted legislation that enabled the FAA to fully fund air traffic services.
American Heroes Air Show Lands at Hansen Dam
Buckle up for high-flying excitement when the nation’s premier aviation event devoted exclusively to helicopters lands in the San Fernando Valley.
Surrounded By Thunder-The Story Of Unsung Heroes Who Made Space Travel Possible
From America’s first satellite Explorer I, through Apollo and putting the first man on the moon, aeronautical engineer Darrell Loan had a hand in them all! Surrounded by Thunder: The story of Darrell Loan and the Rocket Men (Inspire on Purpose Publishing), by Tom Williams, tells the true story of this extraordinary man, his family, friends and colleagues, and of a time not to be forgotten in America’s history - a time that has never been surpassed and that truly was and always will be, Surrounded by Thunder.
Only twelve years separated the launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik and Americans landing on the moon, but during those golden years of space exploration the most fearless aviators ever climbed aboard the most dangerous creations ever assembled to rocket into space and claim a true pinnacle of human achievement. Information on the mission dates, the astronauts, and many of the unforgettable characters that made up this account of America’s race for space and then to the moon are all factual; however, thanks to the author’s talent for gripping storytelling, this historical narrative reads more like an incredible science-fiction adventure.
Contrails: Busting Sod
By Steve Weaver
Lewis Field in 1969 (Steve Weaver)From my present perch of experience and years I sometimes think about the early days of my flying career and I have to say I often give myself goose bumps with the recollecting. Casting my thoughts back and reliving some of the dumb things I routinely did with airplanes in those halcyon days, I wonder how I could have gotten away with it. I shouldn’t have, you know.
One of the things that give me shivers is recalling the airports that we were flying from during this period. I wonder what in the world I was thinking when I flew the airplanes that I did from the short grass strip that was our runway at Lewis field where we ran the flying school. The strip was 1,600-feet long, with the ends stoutly defined by fence posts and barbed wire, so there were never negotiations available about the boundaries when summer pushed the density altitude up.
Governor Walker, Senator Johnson and Congressmen Petri and Ribble to Attend General Aviation Jobs Rally
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), in partnership with Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., will hold a rally celebrating general aviation’s (GA) contributions to the economy on May 30. Governor Scott Walker
You're Invited: Great Lakes by WACO
Cable Airport To Host Safety Seminar & Fly-In May 11
Study Calls for Consolidating, Closing More Than 100 Air Traffic Control Facilities
Plan would save $1.7 billion initially plus $1 billion annually.
As the Federal Aviation Administration prepares to close 149 air traffic control towers as part of more than $600 million in spending cuts required by the sequester, a new Reason Foundation study shows how the FAA could save $1 billion a year by consolidating air traffic control centers and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities.
More than 45 percent of U.S. air traffic control centers and 39 percent of TRACONs are over 35 years old. Instead of spending money upgrading these old and often isolated air traffic facilities, the Reason Foundation plan shows how air traffic control operations could be merged into large hubs that would guide air traffic throughout regions of the country.