B-17F Flying Fortress “Ye Olde Pub” - McGhee Tyson Airport
The Liberty Foundation bring the B-17F Flying Fortress "Ye Olde Pub" (formerly "Madras Maiden") to McGhee Tyson Airport near Knoxville, TN on their 2019 "Higher Call" Tour. While there, a US Navy and USAF T-6 Texan II's arrived for a little touch-n-go practice.
15Sep19
B-17F Flying Fortress "Ye Olde Pub" warming up engines for the first of two flights on Sunday. 15Sep19
B-17F Flying Fortress "Ye Olde Pub" taxis out for the first of two flights on Sunday. 15Sep19
B-17F Flying Fortress "Ye Olde Pub" taxis out for the first of two flights on Sunday. 15Sep19
B-17 back from a flight and being set up for visitors. 15Sep19
Staggered waist gunner positions. 15Sep19
Staggered waist gunner positions. 15Sep19
Looking up while standing in the bomb bay, you can see what looks to be an original roof to the B-17 cockpit. 15Sep19
Ye Olde Pub is named after a famous B-17 in WWII that was badly shot up and escorted back to friendly territory by a German pilot. 40 years after the war, the B-17 pilot and German fighter pilot met and became friends. https://en.wikipedia.org/.../Charlie_Brown_and_Franz... 15Sep19
The sun providing an interesting shadow on the tarmac. 15Sep19
A US Navy T-6B Texan II peforming a touch-n-go. 15Sep19
A USAF T-6 Texan II peforming a touch-n-go. 15Sep19
Proof I was in the nose of the B-17! Thanks to Bruce for taking the picture and sending it to me. 15Sep19
The nose of the B-17F Flying Fortress with its Norden Bombsight. The bombardier used it to control the aircraft during the bombing run and computed the moment when to drop the bombs on target. 15Sep19
B-17F Flying Fortress "Ye Olde Pub" cockpit. 15Sep19
Between the rear seats and below the cockpit is the crawl space to access the bombardier's position in the nose of the bomber. 15Sep19
The reason for the B-17 to exist. Replica 500lb bombs mounted on the bomb racks in the bomb bay. 15Sep19
Radio operators station inside the B-17. 15Sep19
The ball turret extends below the belly of the Flying Fortress to provide protection from attacking fighters. 15Sep19
Rear view of the B-17F Flying Fortress from the open roof in the radio operators station. My friend Bruce photobombing the image. 15Sep19
Rear compartment of the B-17 looking back toward the tail wheel and tail gunners position beyond. 15Sep19
Waist gunner's 50 caliber machine gun and ammunition belt feeds. 15Sep19
US Navy and USAF T-6 Texan II's. 15Sep19
USAF T-6 Texan II parked while the pilots take a little R&R. 15Sep19
The US Navy pilots pre-flighting their T-6B Texan II prior to flight. 15Sep19
US Navy T-6B Texan II awaiting clearance to depart. 15Sep19
The Liberty Foundations trailer carries a spare tire just like you would for your automobile. 15Sep19
US Air Force T-6 Texan II coming around to final approach to land at McGhee Tyson Airport. 15Sep19
Startup of the B-17F Flying Fortress "Ye Olde Pub" for the afternoon flight. 15Sep19
B-17F Flying Fortress "Ye Olde Pub" coming around to final approach to land at McGhee Tyson Airport. 15Sep19