WWII bombers to seek Tucson riders

Arizona Daily Star ^ | Carol Ann Alaimo

[SandRat]

If you've ever dreamed of sailing the skies in a World War II bomber, there may be no time like the present in Tucson.

But it'll cost ya.

Four vintage bombers will touch down in the city in April, offering rides at about $400 a pop. The events are sponsored by two nonprofit foundations that use the money to help keep the rare old warplanes running. The Old Pueblo has become a favorite stopover for such outfits because our warm-weather city has all the attributes they look for.

"Tucson is a hot spot because it has so many retirees and it's a bit of a mecca for aircraft enthusiasts," said Andrew Boehly an archivist ----

[SandRat]

PING!

[Tijeras_Slim]

My Mom got to ride in a B-17, it was very cool.

I believe these folks are in Albuquerque this week.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

Tucson's leftist politics suggest that it should relocate to Massachusetts.

[Cagey]

A little pricey, but I'd love to get up in one of the B-17's.

And then, I'd add a flight in a P-41 and C-47 to my dream list.

[The KG9 Kid]

"... There aren't many vintage bombers still airborne, Maher said. The B-24 is the only one still flying, according to the organizers of the two events."

That's Uncle Kenny's bird. He posts here. :D

[Cagey]

I meant P-40 and not P-41.

[SandRat]

Tucson is the BLUE DOT on the RED Arizona Map. Sorta like the old Kool BLUE DOT smokes. Those old enough to remember know what the double inference there is.

[Visalia]

If memory serves me correctly, the same happens in Fresno each year (Home of FR).

[SandRat]

If they still existed I'd add the P-61 Black Widow Night Fighter.

[SandRat]

Well PING him!

[Gay State Conservative]

In '04 there was an air show at Westover AFB (Massachusetts)
which featured some WWII vintage aircraft.Rides were offered on a B-17 for several hundred dollars (can't recall the exact amount).

[SandRat]

Have to rely on the Fresno Freepers for that verification.

[Chode]

Fuddy Duddy. He was $300 a ride till we lost him... don't know what it costs now or who the new owners are.

[vetvetdoug]

I'd pay it to ride in a B-29 or a B-17. It helps with the upkeep and there aren't a lot of folks my age that have flown in either. I'd definitely get a picture.

[verity]

http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=78

Impressive.

[11Bush]

The P-61 is my all time favorite WWII aircraft, followed closely by the P-38.

Gotta love radar acquired targets and enough firepower to knock anything that flew out of the sky with one pass. As you can tell I also like the twin tail boom thing.

[SandRat]

There were working P-61s still in service in VN but none were allowed to go into private hands as they were just too hot a bird. When things started to go to you know where in a hand basket they were all brought back to D-M and immediately cut up for scrap. At least that's the word I've been told.

[indcons]

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[Publius6961]

Cool!
A ride in a B-25... I could do that.