Collings Foundation B-17 Bomber Crew Training Camp

Take to the sky in the Collings Foundation's B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine O Nine" for a unique bombing mission experience.
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Take to the sky in the Collings Foundation's B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine O Nine" for a unique bombing mission experience.
Take to the sky in the Collings Foundation’s B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” for a unique bombing mission experience.

Hot on the heels of announcing their Messerschmitt Me 262 Flight Training Program, The Collings Foundation has again leveraged their unique position of maintaining one of America’s largest collections of airworthy warbirds to offer yet another unique flight experience. This time it’s an opportunity for enthusiasts to participate in a fantasy camp, crewing a legendary Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, The Collings Foundation’s B-17G, “Nine O Nine”.

The unique two-day living history program will have participants crewing rotating stations at the 50 caliber Browning machine guns as well as manning the bombardier’s bubble in the nose of the craft to try their hands at dropping authentic 250-pound dummy bombs on a target.

Details from The Collings Foundation follow:

May 29th and 30th – STOCKTON, CA

Base Location:
Stockton Municipal Airport / Stockton Field Aviation Museum Hangar, Stockton California.
Target:
Top Secret Classified Information. Crew will be issued mission and target objectives on completion of crew training.
Cost:
$3,900 per person. Includes accommodations and food for two nights, materials, ammunition, and support supplies. Trainees must arrange travel to hotel. Transportation to and from training facilities will be arranged. Age restrictions: 16 yrs. and older. Those 16 yrs. to 18yrs. must be accompanied by legal adult guardian.

Day One: Pre-Mission Training
* Basic outline of course and goals.
* WWII Heavy Bomber history, theatres of operation and primary missions.
* Identification of crew positions and duties.
* Crewmember orientation to essential equipment.
* Bombardier and turret training.
* Gunnery orientation.
* Target practice.

Day Two: Briefing and Mission Orders are Issued
* Refresher course / Q & A.
* Commanding Officer will brief the crew on the day’s mission.
* Suit up and drive to the aircraft in bomb crew truck.

* Pre flight and further briefing on flight, mission and crew position.
* Load aircraft ordinance and prepare equipment.
* Fly the mission. – Hit the target and get back to base alive!
* Mission de-briefing.

Some Details:
The crew will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express, Manteca. Crew must be checked in the night of May 28th. The program starts early AM on May 29th. Each crewmember will receive training materials, flight suit, eye and ear protection etc. Live rounds will be used at gunnery range and blanks will be used during the mission. Each crewmember will be issued: 50 rounds / 50 cal. blank, 10 rounds / 50 cal. live, 15 shot gun rounds, shotgun and targets. Additional ammo will be available for purchase at location. Mission flight time will be approximately 1 hour. 250 lb. dummy bombs will be dropped on a target from the B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine 0 Nine” (manufactured to original specifications). Crew member performs a task in each position on an approximate 5-10 minute rotation.

Reservations and Cancellations:
50% deposit is required on sign up. Deposit is non-refundable unless we have to cancel camp. (Reason for this: We have to purchase supplies and materials in advance). Space is limited. To make reservations for the B-17 Bomber Crew Training Camp call: 800.568.8924

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