Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey"

[Dave S.]

Sentimental Journey & the CAF's B-25, Maid in the Shade, departed late this morning for a cooler weekend in Prescott.  If anyone is headed, or needs a reason to head, to Prescott - they'll both be on display.

[Matt Ottosen]

I thought this was interesting, it's from the June 2010 Arizona Wing NewsLetter:

The Last B-17 to Serve in the Military (B-17 "Sentimental Journey")

Yes.  That's right.  AZ Wing's B-17 "Sentimental Journey" was the last B-17 to be deactivated by the U.S. military.  And, it wasn't as long ago as you would think.  It took place in the year 2000.

Part of the requirements for students in the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School was to fly and evaluate a plane that they never flew before.  So, back in 2000 two students from the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School were to fly and evaluate a B-17 as their graduation project.  The AZ Wing had instructors and a designated pilot examiner who regularly conducted B-17 type rating training and certification for our members.  So he submitted our training program and related training materials for review and was awarded a Navy contract to conduct this training.

We could not operate our B-17 as a civilian aircraft for this training because the Navy test pilot students did not hold civilian pilot certificates.  Their test pilot program supervisor, a Navy Lt Cmdr, traveling with the students, coordinated returning the B-17 to active duty with personnel at the Pentagon.

So on November 16 and 17, 2000, our "Sentimental Journey" was back on active duty serving in the U.S. Navy.  We operated on military flight plans under the call sign of "Navy Fortress One Seven."

[Jay Beckman]

"An Enduring Legacy"

[Rich Reeder]

Matt, et. al.:

I had a chance to ride in the B17 Sentimental Journey last November 7th.  I'll never forget it.  I burned 2 rolls of film, but here are 2 photos.  Taken with an early 1970's Pentax K-1000.  (The Pentax has an internal exposure meter, which is more convenient then the old 1940's &1950's Argus C3's I usually use, which need a hand held meter).  The photo of the view out the window is when we flew into a canyon of the Superstitions (!).

Rich Reeder, 1549.WED.23.JUN.2010 (MST)  ©

[Matt Ottosen]

Rich, I'm glad you were able to go for a ride, it's such an amazing experience!

I'm looking forward to my two weeks on tour in September as Flight Crew Chief (Trainee), it's going to be a lot of work and a lot of fun!!

[Jay Beckman]

Do you know yet what the fall itinerary will be Matt?

[Matt Ottosen]

Do you know yet what the fall itinerary will be Matt?

Not once she is back in Mesa.  She usually does some local stuff flying out of Falcon, and then goes into her heavy maintenance.  She is scheduled to be home from tour on Monday, October 18.

[Dave S.]

Hey all,

Just back from my two week summer tour with Sentimental Journey, the CAF's B-17G.  Here are some shots that I managed to grab between crazy busy days training as a flight crew chief (FCC) on Sentimental Journey.

[Dave S.]

While at my last tour stop, in Dayton, OH, I had the great opportunity to fly on my first air-to-air photo shoot.  I rode in a B-25, shooting out the open escape hatch on the right side of the plane.  This was a last minute opportunity, and I just used what I had on hand.  All are hand held (obviously, duh!) shots, most of which were taken using my non-IS 24-70, f 2.8 lens.

[Dave S.]

This first shot shows the 'tunnel' to the open tail gunner position in the B-25.  You can see SJ taxiing out behind the B-25.  The second shot was taken with my IS 100-400.  The light was pretty horrible, but I managed to grab this shot of SJ's cockpit crew with some surprising (to me) clarity.  If I didn't mention it previously, with the escape hatch open on the B-25, there is a BOAT load of wind buffet inside the plane.

[BillOz]

Hey Dave,

Looks like you had a good time, and certainly a great opportunity.

Nice shots.

[Dave S.]

Bill,

Yes, had a pretty fun time.  Also learned a GREAT deal about shooting air-to-air.  Would certainly like to do it again, but with a little more opportunity to prepare for it (gear, lighting...).

- Dave

[redsox223]

Awesome shots all around. I cant say anything but positives as I have no experience with air to air.

[Dave S.]

Mitchell,

Thanks!!

[Matt Ottosen]

Really awesome stuff, looks like you had a lot of fun!