Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey"

[Matt Ottosen]

Sentimental Journey rolled off the Douglas assembly line in late 1944, and was accepted by the Army Air Corp on March 13, 1945. Manufactured too late to see service in the European war, the aircraft was assigned to the Pacific theater for the duration of the war. In 1947, the aircraft was removed from storage in Japan and assigned to Clark Field in Manila as a photo-mapping plane. For nearly three years she served in that capacity, flying to all corners of the Pacific in the configuration of a RB-17G.

Sentimental Journey was then transferred to Eglin Field, Florida, and was converted to a DB-17G for service as an air-sea rescue craft. During the 1950's, B-17 serial number 4485314 was converted once again to become a DB-17P, serving with the 3215th Drone Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. During this time Sentimental Journey participated in "Operation Greenhouse," the fourth postwar atmospheric nuclear weapon test series conducted by the United States during the spring of 1951. This test used unmanned, radio controlled B-17 drone aircraft to measure blast and thermal effects and to collect radioactive cloud samples. During the test, a drone aircraft would be taken off by ground control. A "mother ship," already airborne, would then come from behind, take control of the drone and fly it to the target area. Sentimental Journey served as a mother ship for this nuclear testing. On January 27, 1959, final military orders were cut, transferring the airplane to military storage at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. Within a few months, 85314 was acquired by the Aero Union Corporation of Chico, California, and became a civilian aircraft as N-9323Z, the registration which remains with her to date. For the ensuing eighteen years, an aircraft that had been designed to survive no more than a hundred missions, flew literally thousands of sorties against forest fires throughout the country.

On January 14, 1978, at a membership banquet for the newly formed Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, Colonel Mike Clarke announced the donation of the aircraft to the CAF for assignment to the Arizona Wing.

[Matt Ottosen]

On Friday, May 15, I flew on Sentimental Journey from Falcon Field (FFZ) to Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN), a distance of about 151 miles (total flight time was just over an hour).  Not only did I have the experience of flying in Sentimental Journey, but I was invited to sit in the left seat and fly Sentimental Journey.  I logged 0.5 hours of B-17G time that day!

[Matt Ottosen]

Departing Falcon Field (FFZ) for Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN).
May 15, 2009

[Joe Copalman]

Sentimental Journey casting a shadow on final approach into Grand Canyon Airport.

[Bubak]

over Casa Grande

[Bubak]

 

[Matt Ottosen]

Falcon Field (MSC, KFFZ, FFZ)
February 14, 2009

As you can see, by the big belch of white smoke, engine one just caught and sputtered to life.

[Matt Ottosen]

Falcon Field (MSC, KFFZ, FFZ)
March 1, 2009

[BillOz]

Departing from and returning to Falcon Field.

[Matt Ottosen]

Bill, those are some nice shots of SJ!!

[David Loera]

[BillOz]

Thanks Matt,

Those shots are from Dec. 28, 2007.  Some lucky people taking their Christmas gift rides.

[Matt Ottosen]

Falcon Field (MSC, KFFZ, FFZ)
February 14, 2009

[Jay Beckman]

Sentimental Journey's return to Falcon Field on September 26, 2009.  Welcome Home Matt!








(This was a six shot pano stitched in CS4)

[Matt Ottosen]

Jay, those are some awesome shots!!

That really good lookin' Loadmaster sitting in the nose is really what makes these photos great.   

Thanks to everyone for coming out and welcoming us home in style!  My days on tour were a lot of fun, but it's great to be back home!