Inside a REAL Master Of The Air | B-17 Flying Fortress Tour | Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum

The B-17 Flying Fortress was an iconic bomber that saw extensive action during World War Two. It was primarily employed by the USAAF in the daylight component of the Allied strategic bombing campaign over Europe, complementing RAF Bomber Command's night bombers in attacking German industrial, military and civilian targets.
Join me as we pay homage to the B-17 Flying Fortress, a symbol of courage, resilience, and the unbreakable spirit of those who served during WWII. Whether you're a history buff, aviation enthusiast, or simply curious about this legendary aircraft, this tour will offer some insight into the lives of these bomber crews.
Project Past Shareholders
1. Dustine Wise
2. Mark Degraff
Archival footage provided by- The Nation Archives
Images provided by the National WWII Museum & U.S. Air Force
Visit the Mighty Eighth Air Force for yourself here ⬇️
www.mightyeighth.org
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#projectpast #militaryhistory #B17FlyingFortress #WWII #AviationHistory #MilitaryAircraft #HistoricAircraft #FlyingFortress #BomberAircraft #WorldWar2 #USAAF #Warbirds #AerialCombat

[@ProjectPast1565]

If you’d like to support the channel, help me preserve history and get behind the scenes content then click the link below to become an exclusive supporter. Your generosity and support will help me provide better content and help preserve our nations battlefields. www.patreon.com/ProjectPast

[@philward252]

I can’t recall the year anymore but it was at least a decade or more ago, I was honored to help with a reunion at the Mighty 8th with veterans of the October 14, 1943 Black Thursday Schweinfurt Bombing Raid. As the tour of the museum began with these awesome veterans and their families, a young tour guide stopped them to explain the crew positions etc on a large cut thru model of a B17. One of the veterans stopped the young guide in mid sentence and told him “young man, don’t tell us these positions. I flew the damn thing!” I have never forgotten that.

[@ProjectPast1565]

That would have been awesome to see. I love when these veterans share their experiences. Really helps shed light on what they went through.

[@NickyB0718]

I miss interacting with those old veterans, they just told it like it was! No time for bs or feelings!

[@Seafariireland]

What brave souls they were, God bless them all for defending the world’s freedom, past and present!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Indeed. Their bravery is something to admire.

[@outfield1988]

Been to the museum many times and to see the progress on the bomber is amazing. Great work by the restoration crew.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Absolutely. They have and continue to do an amazing job.

[@outfield1988]

@@ProjectPast1565 thank you for the video

[@ProjectPast1565]

@@outfield1988 thanks for watching!

[@user-mm1xl3bs9o]

Thanks for this great tribute to our aircraft & museum. I was there when you recorded this & had an opportunity to meet you. Again, thank you & well done!

[@ProjectPast1565]

I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it. It was a fantastic experience and I applaud the efforts of you and all the others for keeping this history alive.

[@Readygamrben]

I went in the cockpit and the yoke was still working, I also sat in the bombardier’s seat.

[@danielroncaioli6882]

My Great Uncle had 36 mission in summer of ‘44. His last couple of missions were during Operation Overlord. 427th BS of the 303rd BG (Heavy) Molesworth England.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I really appreciate you sharing your family’s history. Thanks for watching.

[@c1ph3rpunk]

Keep an eye on the EAA calendar for when Aluminum Overcast is nearby, highly recommend taking a flight. I’ve managed to fly in a B-17, B-24, B-25 and B-29, amazing experiences.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for the info! I’ll keep an eye out. I bet that was such an incredible experience.

[@edgaraquino2324]

Good video! The radio operator was also a gunner...I understand there was a removable panel above his station & a single .50 was in that position...also, the bombardier & the navigator were gunners...the N would move from one cheek gun to the other...the N's station is the desk area on the left as you look at the nose...slightly to the right of the bomb sight are the grips of the chin turrent which would swing down so the B could fire...it would swing to the right as seen in the video when he had to use the bomb sight...Also, the crews did not wear the painted jackets on missions for security reasons...

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for watching! Appreciate the additional info!!

[@edgaraquino2324]

@@ProjectPast1565 you are most welcome!

[@stevewhisperer6609]

I work just down the road from this museum and have been in there several times. I love the B-47 outside, too.

[@ProjectPast1565]

It’s a great museum!

[@NickyB0718]

Great video thanks!

[@cyndiebill6631]

I will have to say this has got to be my favorite video of all. I like you was lucky enough to be in the be in the presence of one of these amazing ladies. Thank you so much for the awesome tour and showing just how brave these men had to be to put their lives on the line to fly in one of these.👍🙂

[@ProjectPast1565]

I appreciate you watching and I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the video. Such a beautiful plane.

[@philward252]

Nice video. Enjoyed watching. I live 2 miles from the museum and have visited many times. Also help with the flags on Memorial Day. In 2018 I was privileged to fly on B17G Madras Maiden of the Liberty Foundation. It has since been repainted and renamed Ye Olde Pub. In May 2022 I toured the B17G Texas Raider which was lost with all crew in November of the same year in a horrific mid-air in Dallas Tx with a P63.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I appreciate you watching and thanks for the feedback. I’d love to visit on memorial day sometime to see that display for myself. I remember seeing that video. That was tough to watch and such a tragic event.

[@DustinWiseM1]

Outstanding video bud. So cool the access you were able to get. Such a great job highlighting both the machine itself and the incredible men that went onboard time and time again. Great work!!! 🇺🇸

[@ProjectPast1565]

Always appreciate your feedback man. Thanks for watching.

[@carson1861]

Thank you James... I learned a lot. Very fascinating.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Glad to hear that Carson! Thanks for watching.

[@carson1861]

@@ProjectPast1565 I TRULY TRULY enjoy your presentations James... thanks for your dedication to being a voice of our history to life today. God bless you and yours.

[@zackkadish8122]

Gorgeous

[@joehammond1247]

I had the privilege of crawling through the .Collings Foundation's B-17 "Nine-o-Nine". Good Lord Almighty, those buggers are cramped! I can't imagine trying to move through one wearing all the cold weather gear and toting an oxygen bottle!!!!!!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Yeah it’s extremely cramped. I wasn’t expecting that looking at it from the exterior.

[@IRAQIWILDMAN1]

The ball gunner was the safest gunner position on the plane. Overall , the co-pilot had the lowest casualty rate(6%) with the ball gunner close behind.

[@ProjectPast1565]

You’re correct. I should have added more context. From a bailout standpoint, it was extremely deadly.

[@currentbatches6205]

Go to the Evergreen Aviation Museum, McMinnville, OR. You used to be able to climb inside. Not for the claustrophobic.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I’ve heard it’s a fantastic museum!

[@currentbatches6205]

They have a Soviet 'return-to-earth' module; I asked where they got it. The docent claimed they bought it from a post-Soviet agency on e-bay. They also have a motorized cutaway of a Wright 3350. I love the place.@@ProjectPast1565

[@currentbatches6205]

Go there; it is worth it, and McMinnville is not Portland or Seattle, if you know what I mean.

[@stevewhisperer6609]

My family and I made that trip down there from western Washington a couple years ago. WELL worth it! We went up inside the H-4 Hercules, ( Spruce Goose ) and got the full guided tour. Very impressive! Got pictures of my Son in the pilots seat wearing the, ( replica ) Fedora.

[@scottramsey7244]

Great video! What is the title of the National Archives footage you used in this video? What type of camera did you use to record the video? It looks great.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks! I’m not sure of the title but I’m pretty sure it’s footage from the Memphis Belle crew. I used a Sony FX30 to film at the museum.

[@scottramsey7244]

@@ProjectPast1565 thanks for the reply. How did you get the staff to do an interview and give a private tour? I would love to be able to do something like this.

[@ProjectPast1565]

@@scottramsey7244 I emailed them a few weeks prior asking if I could record at their museum and if someone would be available to talk/appear in the video. The staff was great and the in-depth tour was a complete surprise for me.

[@scottramsey7244]

@@ProjectPast1565 Well, it turned out great. Thank you for answering my questions and making a wonderful video.

[@ProjectPast1565]

@scottramsey7244 thanks for watching!

[@Airgunfactory]

Great Video and a great tribute to those heroic men, just on a side note your information at the end is wrong, “The Eighth suffered the most casualties of any Command in WW2, 26,000 KIA” RAF Bomber Command had 55,573 KIA.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching. They may have suffered the most killed but remember casualties include wounded and the additional 28,000 captured as well which would give the Eighth the most. War is an awful thing.

[@ProjectPast1565]

www.mightyeighth.org/brief-history-of-the-eighth-air-force/

[@Airgunfactory]

Yes I agree but 28k+26k is 54k,Bomber Command crews suffered an extremely high casualty rate: 55,573 killed out of a total of 125,000 aircrew (a 44.4 per cent death rate), a further 8,403 were wounded in action and 9,838 became prisoners of war,as you can see Bomber Command suffered the most losses, I’m not not picking so please forgive me if that’s how it comes across, 1 casualty is ‘one to much’, God Bless each and everyone of them, I know I couldn’t have done what any of them did. ❤️

[@Airgunfactory]

73,814 Casualties for Bomber Command 😞

[@ProjectPast1565]

Visiting this museum has really opened my eyes just how deadly the air war was. It amazes me how anyone made it. No hard feelings at all. I enjoy discussing and learning new things. I appreciate the feedback and for you watching!

[@raizedbynerdz8718]

Man, to see that Chuck Hasket signed that wing a month before 9/11

[@ProjectPast1565]

It was a very unique piece that’s for sure.

[@EdwardPeter1]

Beyond doubt,those who served in WW2 were the GREATEST GENEREATION!!

[@ProjectPast1565]

Absolutely! The sacrifices they made without hesitation is admirable.

[@LeviTheNerd]

You should make a video about the Confederate Marine Corp. They took part in several land and sea engagements, and headquartered in Richmond Va.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Seems like it would be an interesting topic.

[@garysimpson3900]

26,000 aircrew losses in the "Mighty 8th" alone. When those of the 9th & the Mediterranean & Pacific theaters are added you appreciate the sacrifice made. Typical that this aircraft & those based at Duxford in England didn't see combat when you look at the pictures of all the combat veteran B17's & B24 lined up in the Arizona desert waiting to be scrapped. Almost all who saw combat & brought their brave crews home mission after mission were gone by 1947.

[@kerrylove5472]

My father was in the 8th and was a Parachute rigger in England in the south. The Bomb site is a Norden not Norton . Mark V . Just a comment to help. Great video.

[@ProjectPast1565]

Thanks for sharing your family story. It’s amazing how hard it is to talk as soon as you hit record. Thanks for watching.

[@user-qt1kb2lp6f]

I highly recommend you take a ride in one if you really want to experience the B 17

[@ProjectPast1565]

It’s definitely on the bucket list!

[@user-qt1kb2lp6f]

@@ProjectPast1565 check out the CAF Arizona wing Sentimental Journey travels around. They may be near you this summer

[@chiefmagalahi1559]

Do they allow tours inside the b17 for everyone or was this like a special occasion

[@ProjectPast1565]

To my knowledge no. But I’m sure I’m not the first to step inside. Thanks for watching.

[@chiefmagalahi1559]

@@ProjectPast1565 alright thank you

[@johnschofield9496]

Ball turret gunners couldn't wear their parachute in the ball, either !

[@ProjectPast1565]

Truly terrifying!

[@DWBurns]

Do you know why the #3 engine is caged? Prop feathered.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I remember them saying it landed in Dulles with one of it’s engines feathered so it’s kind of a nod to that. But as far as the exact details of that event I’m not sure.

[@DvlHownd]

Something looks odd about the chin turret and the fairing behind it. Too smooth. No rivets. Is it a fiberglass replica? Additionally, I realize they are hard to find, but there are no lead computing gunsights for the top turret or the chin turret while the waist guns have the later optical gunsights vs the older "ring and bead". But all in all, she's a beaut.

[@ProjectPast1565]

I personally wouldn’t know. I do know that restoration is a never ending process so maybe they’ll be added in the future. Thanks for watching.

[@kevinpurcell2093]

Yeah imagine being 25,000 to 35,000 feet in the air and inside one of the freezer turids.

[@AdamMann3D]

You didnt know anything about the air war until you saw a tv show...

[@ProjectPast1565]

Referring to my interview with History Savior? That’s not what I said at all. I said I didn’t know a lot about it. Inferring that I knew of it, I just didn’t know the details about it. Masters of the Air got me interested in learning more. Were you born with all the knowledge you have today or did something along the way spark your interest in a certain topic?

[@ed-straker]

Great video, but please learn how to pronounce "Norden".

[@ProjectPast1565]

If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not learning. Thanks for watching!

[@garypic4083]

Kermit Weeks Place is 100X better then this place

[@ProjectPast1565]

His budget is also slightly more. These guys dedicated the last 15 years with minimal funding to bring this beauty back to life.

[@beverlychmelik5504]

Kermit Weeks is an airplane collector. This museum is dedicated the men and women who served. The stories and pictures are the important parts, and the airplane is the backdrop.