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B-17 Flying Fortress

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was the first mass-produced, four-engine heavy bomber. It is still one of the most recognised aeroplanes ever built. It was most widely used for daylight strategic bombings of German industrial targets during World War II as part of the United States Eighth Air Force.

Development
Operational History
Variants/Design Stages
Units Using the B-17
Noted B-17 Pilots
Specifications

2004 B17 Flyin Winners

Float Fly 2004 / B17 Flyin Winners 2004 / Warbirds 2004

Bomber Field 2004

Event Report

GATHERING OF B-17'S

[Bomber Field / BomberFieldUSA.com] The Bomber Field 2004 Gathering of B 17's is now history and despite the unique weather circumstances occuring in and around the Gulf coast region, the meet was dubbed a roaring success. Numbers were down a bit from past years but in the end 142 pilots were registered for the popular scale meet. Lots of new faces were seen and many old friendships renewed from past Bomber Field meetings. Amazingly, the colorful Miami, Florida crew of Nick Capone and company were present; it was great to see them once again. Regardless of the dire circumstances back home they displayed true grit and determination, those guys are the greatest. The west coast bunch made a creditable showing and have sworn to be back next year, they are excited. From overseas a group of Japanese modelers and two fellows from Taiwan were present, they seemed excited and possibly will show up next year to participate.

BB Weber, commander of Bomber Field USA and Nick Stratos the meet CD, were a bit anxious earlier in the week as to the meet's ultimate success, the weather in the Gulf of Mexico caused many to think twice about attending. The hard bitten and veteran warbird pilots, however, put their heads down and charged onward to Bomber Field, they were not going to allow anything to deter them from the excitement and enjoyment of another great warbird gathering, they were not disappointed.

Luckily, hurricane Jeanne decided to come ashore further east of the upper Gulf coast and left the Houston area dry with very little wind. The 2004 Bomber meet will be remembered as the year of the oppressing heat, bottled water did a brisk business. The backside of the hurricane dried out the east Texas skies and let the sunshine bare down hard. The high temps did not detere the thousands of eager spectators from attending this year's show. Welcome relief from the heat was felt late Saturday afternoon with a passing rain shower.

[Bomber Field / BomberFieldUSA.com] Scale aircraft and warbirds of every type and description crowded the pits and staging areas. Stukas & B-17's bombed and noisily strafed the field back into the stone age while the Navy darkened the blue skies over Bomber Field with numerous Hellcats and Corsairs. They flew countless missions while a squadron of Skyraiders played 2nd fiddle and competed for airspace and targets of opportunity. Ziroli designed aircraft were very numerous and seemed to be a popular choice at this year's meet. The oppressing heat and humidity did not damper most pilot's enthusiasm and the skies were kept filled with thundering formations of single and multi engine aircraft to the delight of the thousands of spectators. Toward the end of the week once again statements could be heard declaring, "I'll definitly be back next year..save a space for me....!!"

The WMWA was out in force at Bomber Field 2004 and had banners flying proudly announcing our presence. Membership prospects were numerous and hopefully our rolls will swell.

See the PHOTOS.

Til' next time - Regards,

Jim Marshall
WC 4th AF, WMWA
CIC Texas Ftr Cmd, Lone Star Wing

2004 B-17 Winners

Best Military Pre-1941