[303rd-Talk] Weary old pilots

[Maurice Paulk]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "gene mccutchan" <kvfly at yahoo.com>
To: "303rd" <303rd-talk at 303rdbg.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 2:25 PM
Subject: [303rd-Talk] Weary old pilots


> Several weeks ago I visited and went through a B-17.  The normal flow of 
> traffic was up some portable steps in through the nose hatch.  However, 
> since I am kinda gimpy now and no one else was there I was allowed to go 
> in through the rear door.
>
> Never had I remembered having any trouble moving around in the 17 in my 
> younger days.  On this one though, my pace was a snail=pace and I just 
> barely,  barely was able to squeeze thru the bomb bay, almost got stuck.
>
> OK.  In the cabin there is the opening between the pilots seats allowing 
> access to the nose.  I was unable to or did not feel it wise to try and 
> gain access to the pilots seat.
>
> Question.  I am trying to remember if this opening was always open or did 
> it have a folding door?  Probably a dumb question but 65 years leaves a 
> lot of blanks.
==========================================================================
Gene==Welcome to the "club"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had the same problem. Last year "Sentimental Jouurney" was in Grand Island 
NE..
I took some memorabilia with me & the crew and onlookers were very 
interested in them.
One of the crew took me to the rear side door [with steps] for a free tour . 
I tried to get
in but my knees wouldn't bend at the same time as my back. I flew in a 17 3 
times.
#1=over the north sea on a close formation flight. #2 was on the 
"continental express"
[about May 12 ???] spent 81/2 - 9 hours in the nose.#3= Molesworth to 
Casablanca
on June 11 1945.

On flight #2 my friend was under the pilots feet sick as a dog and asleep.
I believe that the space between the two seats was open.

On flight #3  I roamed the plane from the waist to the radio room.  It 
seemed to me that
the room in the durn thing had shrunk since 1945. Then it dawned on me. The 
proper way
to enter was to grab the top of the door frame, swing your feet in & then 
stand up. I think I lost the
"rubber band" in my back bone!!!
AFTER THOUGHT--I was 21 when I Enlisted in '42==non combatant--Sgt-- Air 
Corps Supply.

Yours in memories!!!!!---

Maurice J. Paulk
a.k.a. The Mountain Man
205 W 12th St.
Wood River Ne. - 68883-9164
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE