My usual co-pilot wasn't available, so Pete Simpson took on the role. Since Pete hadn't operated the B-17 before, but did have twin experience, the first part of the day was spent with the inner engines shut down while Pete taxied up and down the runway. There was a moderately strong wind, but it was straight down the runway.

Other USAAF Team members were present, so there was some fighter activity in addition to John's B-24 flying while we weren't testing on the runway. 

With Pete happy with the controls, all was set for the flight. The B-17 was lined up on the runway, throttles opened and off into the wide blue yonder! The next ten minutes was spent checking the power, handling, power on and power off stalls and a few low passes for the camera.

A second flight was made later in the day, but this time accompanied by the Team B-24 for the first time.
 

A pass for the camera. It was a dull day for weather, but otherwise excellent!

2001

I made three further flights at a private fly-in in May 2001. This was all part of the over 20Kg inspection scheme, clocking up air time on the aircraft.

In July I was ready to make the last flights needed to convert the test flight paperwork to a proper display authorization. This involved making a couple of flights in front of an examiner, and flying certain manouvres to show the structural integrity of the airframe. Quite a lot of the flight was made at high speed and high G loadings.

 The flights were also to test my ability to control the aircraft through a normal display and in unusual attitudes. The flights put far more load on the aircraft than would ever be reached during a normal public display, so the examiner knew the plane would be safe when displayed in a normal scale manner.

Norway

In September 2001, the Team packed a number of models for a trip to Notodden, Norway. The B-17 was one of them, and quite appropriate since the real B-17 "Hang The Expense" was involved in the 'Heavy Water' raid not far from the airfield where we were displaying.

We stayed on the airfield for a week, dictated by ferry crossing dates, and were able to fly from the runway during the evenings. We had great weather all week until the day before the show, and then the weather turned wet and windy. Typical model show weather!

I ended up only making two flights while there, due to a combination of a cross wind during the show and a narrow runway with rather large, sturdy upstanding runway lights along the edge. Because the wind was from the crowd, I was worried about the B-17 weathercocking towards the crowd on take off or landing.

The B-17, two P-47's and A-35B Vengeance were packed into my trailer.

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