Collings Foundation B-24H Flight

[B-24J]

I went to Altoona, Pennsylvania and took in the Collings Foundation B-24H again. This time I wanted the whole experience so I really dressed for the occasion! My Dad was a B-24J co-pilot - though he did fly first pilot a few times before the wars end. Everything is original WW2 except for the cheap knock-off wearing them. The "thumbs-up" shot was not my idea. Oh, dhermann1, I did not wear a tie as the flight suit would cover everything anyway.

John

My Dad was from Altoona and in September 1944 he "Buzzed" my Grandmother's and Mother's homes on his way overseas in his B-24. Against regs of course, but hey, there was a war on!

 

[1930artdeco]

You lucky Dog! My grandfather worked on them in the pacific.

Mike

 

[Otter]

Very cool, I would love to do that!

 

[dhermann1]

Tie or no tie, that looks pretty darned cool!

 

[B-24J]

Correction: The Collings Foundation B-24 is a "J" model painted to represent a ship that was an "H" model. The Collings' ship (44-44052) served with the RAF in the Pacific during the war.

I was surprised that moving around inside the ship during flight with the parachute harness on was not very difficult. The only slight hang up was in the narrow bomb bay catwalk.

If the Collings Foundation is every near when the weather is in the lower fifties (Fahrenheit) I'll have to give the high altitude kit a try.

 

[Ross817]

My Grandfather was also a co-pilot on a J model Named "Sweet Routine" that operated out of the Pacific. Below are pics of his flight jacket I have.

*I hope this is not considered Hi-jacking, just sending some J model Liberator love*

 

[B-24J]

Excellent!!!

Please post a photo showing the label.

John

 

[Ross817]

Will do, I have a picture on my phone, ill have to upload tomorrow at work. But its the later Bronco pattern. Im going to have John at Goodwear make me a repro one of these days.

-Ross

 

[Otter]

You got me thinking there, but fortunately for my bank balance they are not flying in California or Nevada when I am out there!

 

[Ross817]

Sweet Routine

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[B-24J]

Between Goodwear and the patch artists here on the Lounge, you should be able to get something very close to your jacket.

I once spoke with a veteran B-24 radar operator who was in the Pacific. He had some very long missions.

As you undoubtedly know, some great pictures of the "Sweet Routine" at:

http://11thbombgroup.org/home.html

I think your jacket's artwork might even be better than that on the plane! They had VERY talented artists in 11th BG(H).

John

 

[Ross817]

Yea Im pretty fortunate that Sweet Routine was a well documented bird. This jacket is by far my most prized posession. Coolest thing is my grandads military ID still in the pocket.

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