Ellis Tech Simulation Club Tours World War II Aircraft
Nine members of the Simulation Club were able to walk through two WWII heavy bombers and check-out a medium bomber and the famed Mustang fighter. All planes are part of a travelling museum of history that flies into airports throughout the country from the Collins Foundation of Stowe, Mass.
Students had a chance to climb in one end of the plane and twist their way from crew position to crew position through the bomb bay and out the other end of the B-17 “Flying Fortress” and B-24 “Liberator”. Both restored planes are painted to match specific planes that flew in WWII. The paint scheme changes every year or two to honor other planes/crews.
Mr. Haskell talks about tailgunner position on B-17
Over 50,000 B-17’s were produced during WWII and were the lead bombers of the American daylight bombing campaign. Both planes had ten or more .50 caliber machine guns to defend themselves against enemy fighters. The club has visited local airports three times in the last decade. This year the closest in-state airport was Bradley.
Boeing B-17G
