Is it worth $430 to take a 25 min flight on the Liberty Belle??

[Cougar68]

I wouldn't take food out of my family's mouths to ride on the Belle, but if the disposable income was there I'd go in a heartbeat.  I've ridden on the Belle, Aluminum Overcast and EAA's Tri-Motor.  Absolutely nothing in aviation compares to the sensations of those glorious old birds. 

[Penguin]

No it is not. I'd definitly not, As of today I have a better use of those $400 than going for a B17 ride. I'm not the type to wet my pants for maning a 50 cal, or wowing in admiration to some guys maning the controls.

If I had the extra $400 bucks, I'll give it to them only as a charity act to help keepping them in flying condition, much more than the thrill of riding in one ... because the'll be "no thrill" to me.

Don't be such a downer man... if you don't like it, leave us history buffs alone.

-Penguin

[oakranger]

The restored B-17 the Liberty Belle will be coming to town soon.   I was thinking that I should go visit it and check it out, and take some pics.

But what about actually going up in a flight on it?   Has anyone here ever flown on the Liberty Belle?   If so, did you consider your $430 well spent??

I would be interested in your opinions.


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she was in wichita, ks about two years ago.  at that time it was only 350 for a hour ride.


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[Guppy35]

I went up in the Collings Foundation B24J with the brother of a B24 co-pilot who had been killed in a 24 over Vienna in`1945.  To see him get a chance to sit in the co-pilot seat in flight for a few minutes and connect with his long lost big brother was worth every penny.  Next to me on the flight deck was a former B24 Top Turret Gunner/Engineer on his first flight in a 24 since the war.  Listening to him and seeing him react to the trip back in time was amazing.

If you've got the extra money to take such a flight, it's worth it.

[thndregg]

Damn right I'd pay good money for a ride on a B17. Anything to experience just a little bit of WW2 airborne history, and help keep that ol' bird flying. The folks that are restoring these aircraft and showing them around are doing a great service.

[Treize69]

Hell yes, and get some friends to go along and pay the same. Anything it takes to keep those birds flying!

[Plawranc]

I recently donated $100 of my own money to Parafield Aircraft museum in Australia to assist in the rebuild of an F4U-1D which saw combat against Japan during those years we know so well.

In my own mind it is a privalige and an honour to be part of that history. And any endevour to further historical aviation is worth the pricetag. However high it may be.

[Slash27]

I would be interested in your opinions.

You only live once.

[Penguin]

So make it good!

-Penguin

[SFRT - Frenchy]

Don't be such a downer man... if you don't like it, leave us history buffs alone.

-Penguin

He asked, I answered. I'm an history buff too BTW. The flight will provide very little more than what I can get from the ground. Probably doesn't help that I'm airborne almost everyday. The only way I'll enjoy the flight is if I actually get to fly the thing, by that I mean take off and land, not weave around the sky for 5 min at 10,000 ft.

That's me, actually there's a B17 in salt Lake parked 200y away from my plane for the last 3 days, and I didn't even went to check it out. Don't feel like I have to, seen it already last year. The novelty and excitment of WB wore off long ago I suppose, I'm demanding now more than just "looking around" ... if that makes sense.

[Tigger29]

He asked, I answered. I'm an history buff too BTW. The flight will provide very little more than what I can get from the ground. Probably doesn't help that I'm airborne almost everyday. The only way I'll enjoy the flight is if I actually get to fly the thing, by that I mean take off and land, not weave around the sky for 5 min at 10,000 ft.

That's me, actually there's a B17 in salt Lake parked 200y away from my plane for the last 3 days, and I didn't even went to check it out. Don't feel like I have to, seen it already last year. The novelty and excitment of WB wore off long ago I suppose, I'm demanding now more than just "looking around" ... if that makes sense.

I can kind of see your point.. it's kind of like going to a strip club... don't see much point in paying to 'look but not touch'.

But still... as for the B17 thing... I'd have to do it... but not sure I'd need to do it again, you know?

[76646]

I would love to take a ride in Fi Fi! One day soon I hope.

[sluggish]

The "Yankee Lady" was here a few years ago and I definitely would have gone up if I'd had the extra $400.  The thought that I kept coming back to was how awesome an experience it would have been for my grandfather, who was a crew chief on a B17, had he still been alive.  I would have done anything I could to have gotten him up in one one last time...