The B-17G "Nine o Nine" (N93012) and B-24J "All American" (N224J) fly together on a U.S. nationwide tour each year.
Around May they come to Northern California where I took these Photos.
San Jose International Airport (May 1997)
Bombers flew to San Jose Airport on weekday so I made a tour of both planes before going to work.
Inside B-24, Only the aft fuselage was open to public for tour.
This is the retractable tueret, to be lowered during flight - very interesting.
B-24 side gunner's view on a peaceful morning.
Bomb bay of B-24 as seen from outside.
Cockpit of B-17
Looking up into B-17 upper gunner's position. I don't see any Messerschmitt today.
B-17 Bomb bay with bombs.
The walkway penetrating the bay is really narrow.
The same B-17 bomb bay as seen from outside.
Also interesting is the ball turret.
McClellan AFB (May 1997)
The bombers left San Jose and headed for State Capitol, Sacramento area.
It was Saturday when I visited the McClellan, just east of Sacramento so I had plenty of time to see the plane.
B-24 taxi.
Nice photo pass of B-24
B-17 taxi out to runway
B-17 also makes a photo pass.
Close up of nose of B-17.
Port side of B-17 nose has a nice noseart based on actual artwork from WW2.
Sun sets around 8PM.
Good night, B-17.
See you tomorrow at Petaluma.
Petaluma airport (May 1997)
North of San Francisco is a quiet town of Petaluma, the next stop of Bombers.
Prior to Bomber's arrival, the airport had a fly in and several warbirds and ex-military trainers, including this Nanchang CJ-6A (N911YK) was on display.
The B-17 arrived with an escort.
Cloudy sky gives an impression that the bombers are flying over England almost 60 years ago. (Well, I've never been to Europe.....)
B-24 taxi to ramp.
San Jose International Airport (May 1999)
2 years later, I saw the same bombers, again at San Jose.
The B-24 had a major re-painting and now it had an impressive dragon on her starboard fuselage.
Yes, This is the great artwork - "Dragon and his Tail" based on actual color scheme in WW2 pacific.
The dragon taxi to R/W36L for takeoff. You can see the tail of the dragon.
B-17 take off early in the morning for a joy ride (with donations, of course).
B-17 on a final approach.
Moffett federal airfield (June 2002)
B-24 on final approach.
B-17 takes off. Huge building in the background is the Blimp Hanger.
Antonov An-124 was parked near the bombers.
Two F/A-18E (photo is NK-203) Super Hornet was seen on Saturday. Around 1 PM, they left Moffett.