Hi, this is not meant as advertising but an interesting experience from some of a volunteer WW2 living history group. I flew with them in 2012 (B-24 Witchcraft) and 2016 (B-17 909 which sadly crashed lashed year).
For me as a historian by training this was very interesting as actually being in the exposed position of a VERY loud bomber is a completely different viewpoint than just reading books about it. Not to mention trying on the flakvests (think knight armor), lots of 50 cal shells piling up and the totally exciting experience of being in the ball turret and put on the master switch and play with the left/right and up/down handles.
The camp is as accurate as it get (but also fun) with the best scoring cadets getting the best jobs like cadet lieutenant and shortened classes on navigation the airways (yes you had those), ammo belt making, escape in a WW2 Raft with hand cranked generator and balloon, WW2 mess kits. And some more surprises like V-mail from family and friends. We also had a small ceremony for one of the participants who lost her uncle in WW2.
The group is 100% nonprofit volunteers who spent the whole year preparing and making “cement bombs” and other things. They “rent” the bombers from Collings Foundation and have a fantastic Lockheed PV2D of their own. I flew with the latter to the NASA airbase at Moffet field in 2012 which was its home base before (back after over 60 years!).
Best Regards,
Marc Steenbergen
