Boeing B-17G Sentimental Journey on the torrential morning of 6 September 2026 at the Chino Airport.

Photos on this page, unless otherwise noted, are by Michelle Evans.

As a young kid, one of my favorite television shows was 12 O'Clock High which aired over three seasons from September 1964 through January 1967. The show dealt with a B-17 bomber squadron stationed in England. Many of the scenes involving the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress were filmed near the northwest corner of the Ontario International Airport, not far from where I was born and raised in Upland, California. I often saw the B-17s flying and grew fascinated with what is now my favorite aircraft from World War II. From that time, I wished that I could take a ride and get some idea of what it must have been like to fly those dangerous missions throughout the war.

Officially, this became number 3 on my bucket list (following a trip to space and visiting Antarctica). While number 1 on this list will almost certainly always remain out of reach, and I had accomplished number 2 — twice, I remained hopeful of being able to tick off this historic flight at some point.

Chances of accomplishing this were getting slimmer each year, and by late 2026 there were only two B-17s left that would take passengers into the air for short orientation flights. Finally, my chance arrived through the Commemorative Air Force when I found that the B-17 from the CAF wing in Mesa, Arizona (appropriately named Sentimental Journey), would be flying out of Chino airport, hosted by the Planes of Fame museum. Missions would be flown over a four day period in early September. Immediately I signed up for a bombardier/navigator slot on one of the first flights on September 3rd. Soon after I worried that maybe a weekday flight might not fill, which could mean cancelation so I switched to the 11:00 am flight on Sunday, September 6th.

In the end, all the offered flights did fill, but my choice to move to that particular flight proved to be a smart move that made this an even more memorable experience, as you will see below.

— Pre-Flight: On the Periphery of Hurricane Marie —

Mark caught this photo of me as I was checking in for the flight at about 10:00 am.

Photo by Mark O'Connell

CAF Colonel David Malmad gave us our pre-flight briefing, although no one at the time thought we would ever leave the tarmac due to the deluge from Hurricane Marie.

Although delayed by heavy rain, both the 9:00 and 10:00 am flights were able to happen, although visibility was limited for those on board. Here the latter flight is coming to a stop. You can see the huge amount of water that has flooded the area.

Our neighbor Deja brought a bouquet of flowers to congratulate Michelle on her flight. The well wishes were wonderful, but we all thought it would be a forlorn gift.

Our friend Bob was also able to be on the flight. Here he and Michelle exchange photos while killing time, hoping for a break in the severe weather.

Michelle's wife Cherie gives Deja a hug.

Weather experts at the airport said there might be an opportunity to get airborne early in the afternoon, so we were told to hang out until about 1:00 pm, then return for a hopeful final pre-flight briefing.

Cherie and Deja help Michelle wait out the weather hold.

Photo by Deja Wilson

The storm cell passed and Dave informed us we were actually good to go!

I said goodbye to friends as I waited to get into the van and head to the B-17.

Photo by Deja Wilson

Last one in and ready to go.

Photo by Deja Wilson

The flood waters have receeded as we head across the tarmac.

Bob got a great image of the Sentimental Journey reflected in the storm waters.

Photo by Robert Kline

The B-17 tail gunner position.

Photo by Mark O'Connell

Note the name of our stoic tail gunner.

Photo by Mark O'Connell

Great image of the iconic Betty Grable pose and the name of our amazing aircraft.

Photo by Mark O'Connell

Mark's photo inside the fuselage with the radio operator and waist gunner positions.

Photo by Mark O'Connell

My photo of the area where our family and guests had to wait during our flight. It was too bad that they were so far from the activity and barely ever saw our plane once it started engines and left the loading area. Josh and Cherie can be seen at center.

CAF Colonel Albert Wilson gave Mark and I our special bombardier/navigator pre-flight briefing before we were allowed to enter the forward fuselage area of the B-17.

A quick walk-around of the Sentimental Journey while we waited to board the aircraft.

Albert sticks his head into the nose hatch while our pilot scrubs down his windscreen.

The bombardier sits right up against the glass nose for the best seat in the house. The navigator sits directly behind, and the two of us switch positions halfway through the flight.

Time for a photo before the flight. Bob is at the right side taking images.

The view under the fuselage as Bob and the others enter the rear hatch of the B-17.

— Taking Flight: 13:26 to 14:15 on Sunday 6 September 2026 —

With the rain abated we received clearance to make our takeoff. Our route took us east from Chino Airport, following the 91 freeway to the I-15. From there we turned south toward Lake Elsinore. Once there we reversed our flightpath to return to the airport to complete our B-17 mission.

Left side forward windows, and photos of crewmates and family.

The starboard side Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 engines start turning.

Looking behind from my navigator's seat I was able to see Albert's feet in the cockpit.

And in front, Mark is raring to go in the bombardier's seat as we taxi out to the runway.

Bombardier's Station.

Photos this row by Mark O'Connell

Navigator's Station.

Mark's view as we prepared for the takeoff roll.

The infamous Norden bombsight from the bombardier's seat.

Photos this row by Mark O'Connell

Port engines.

Starboard engines.

Huge windows at the waist gunner positions afforded Bob a magnificent view of our flight.

Photos by Bob Kline

Once airborne Bob took up a defensive position to protect our B-17.

Photo by Bob Kline

Prior to flight Bob got this image of the waist gun and "The Whole Nine Yards."

Photo by Bob Kline

The large window for the starboard B-17 cheek gun afforded a great view as we approached Lake Elsinore. This was the midpoint of our journey and we would soon be turning back north along the Elsinore Valley.

Santiago and Modjeska Peaks. As you can see we were flying well under their heights of 5,689 feet and 5,496 feet respectively. The clouds left over from earlier in the day remain hugging the nooks and crannies of the eastern slope of Saddleback Mountain.

Mark in the bombardier's seat as we flew into the Elsinore area, then made a dynamic 45 degree bank to the left, making our U-turn north.

In the navigator's seat with my two cameras.

Photos this row by Mark O'Connell

Mark's view of the turn over Lake Elsinore.

Back on course, time to change positions.

I immediately started in with my camera, but Mark made sure to grab a shot of me in the bombardier's seat, then back to the cameras. Many thanks Mark!

Photos this row by Mark O'Connell

Mark taking his position at the navigator's station.

On course back to Chino, my first amazing view from the bombardier's seat.

I now control the Norden bombsight, and the bomb release button, but I promised not to release ordnance on anyone on our way home.

Saddleback Mountain now coming up on our left side.

Excavation behind Ready Mix Concrete. Glen Ivy Hot Springs in the center of photo.

The powerful Cyclones keep churning the humid air.

The El Cerrito Sports Park in Corona glides by below us.

The intersection of I-15 with the 91 freeway. Never imagined seeing this from a B-17.

The Santa Ana River and drainage basin separates Norco and Eastvale.

Coming around to line up on the runway.

Turning on the base leg to come in for landing at Chino Airport.

Jerry was able to catch a glimpse from the ground as we made our final approach.

Photo by Jerry Floyd

The final flight group awaits our return, unaware we are not far away.

Photo by Jerry Floyd

Nearing touchdown. Runway 8 Right straight ahead.

What a view of the runway from the B-17 nose! Can't get this on a commercial flight.

— End of the Adventure: Feet Back on the Ground —

Like the takeoff, and the flight itself, the landing was most definitely smooth as silk. The only thing that verified we were on the ground was the squeal as the tires touched and ran up to speed. From there, we taxied back to the staging point, extracated ourselves from the aircraft, then spent time walking around, taking photos, and congratulating each other on an amazing and historic flight.

First view of our return. I'm in the glass nose above the chin gun.

Photo by Josh Calvert

Jerry got a great shot as we came into view. I'm in the nose, camera in hand.

Photo by Jerry Floyd

A beautiful sequence of five images as we came in and made our turn. Images 1 and 2.

Photos by Jerry Floyd

Turn sequence images 3 and 4.

Photos by Jerry Floyd

Turn sequence image 5.

Photo by Jerry Floyd

Swinging around, we came to a stop and powered off the engines. Flight over.

Photo by Josh Calvert

I took this photo at the same time Josh took his photo above. Josh is at the center of the image, just to the right of the lady in red.

Bob caught my first step back on terra firma, looking just like Neil Armstrong stepping off the Lunar Module 57 years ago.xxxxxPhoto by Bob Kline

Bob gets a shot of me (behind propeller).xxxxxPhoto by Jerry Floyd

Bob and I (far left) share stories of our great adventure!xxxxxPhoto by Jerry Floyd

Michelle's post-flight portrait with the Sentimental Journey.xxxxxPhoto by Bob Kline

Bob's post-flight portrait with the Sentimental Journey.

Bob's great post-flight portraits of the gorgeous Sentimental Journey. Hard to believe we had just spent nearly an hour in the air with her. A 60 year dream come true.

Photos by Bob Kline

My parting images of the B-17 Flying Fortress. The bright dots are illuminated water drops through the window of the van, reminding me of how we almost lost our flight that day.

Bob and I make our exit from the van.

Cherie embraces Michelle, and shows her enthusiasm for the mission.xxxxxPhotos this row by Deja Wilson

The real reason the flight succeeded:

Michelle's lucky X-15 socks, a gift from our great friend Debbi.xxxxxPhoto by Bob Kline

Michelle in the Planes of Fame museum lobby, catching her breathe.xxxxPhoto by Bob Kline

This specific B-17 at the entrance to the museum was the primary aircraft used in the television series 12 O'Clock High. It served as the commander's aircraft, the Picadilly Lily. It instigated my love of the B-17, and led to this grand adventure.

After the festivities, we retired to a local restaurant for refreshment and talk.

Thank you to everyone who helped me achieve my dream of taking this flight,

and were there on the day of the flight in support:

Cherie RabideauxxxxxBob KlinexxxxxDeja WilsonxxxxxJosh Calvert

Jerry FloydxxxxxKaren VancexxxxxPaul Wood

Special thanks for those who shared photos and videos of the day's events:

Bob, Deja, Josh, Jerry, and especially my B-17 nose mate Mark O'Connell