I recently had the chance to go inside a Bee-17 “Flying Fortress” aircraft. These Bee-17 planes were used in World War II. There were some mechanics working on it but they said I could go inside.
This plane had a name – Sentimental Journey.
I climbed inside and settled into the bombardier’s seat. Wow – this was just like the movies.
Then I tried to navigate the controls as the pilot. They told me not to press any buttons.
I heard some transmissions coming into the radio so I helped out with communications for a while, I am a multilingual bear, after all.
Then I walked to the back of the plane. I had to cross this narrow walkway first. It was beary scary.
Did I mention there were bombs on either side?
I hope they are not real.
I also located the beary important “BAIL OUT” button. Since I am on this airplane, I guess I should find out where the bearachutes are.
My tour in the Bee-17 was not complete without trying out the waist gunner position.
I noticed someone sitting in the tail gunner position so I went to say hello. He seemed to be beary focused on his mission.
After the tour, I sat on the tail of the airplane. This man had never seen a flying bear before.
As I turned to leave the airport, I saw a plane take off into the sky. I wish I could also fly.
Cool!! You were beary calm in there with all those bombs around. You would have made a good bomber pilot!
That is so cool. I wish I get to do that some day. Ajdin, you have been everywhere it seems. I am jealous and also happy for you.
Great photos! We've never seen a BEE 17…but Jerry wants to know if there were any bees inside…