Sentimental Journey

A World War II icon, the B-17 "Flying Fortress," roared into the Flathead on Friday, bringing aviation enthusiasts a chance for a personal encounter with history.

Pilot Mel Tienvold of the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force brought the craft named "Sentimental Journey" smoothly down, then taxied the shining silver plane into Edwards Jet Center around noon.

"It's like flying a 50,000-pound dump truck with no power steering," he said with a laugh.

Not the most reassuring image as a group of media members waited for their ride Friday. Tienvold added that it provided a very smooth flight for passengers.

Visitors may come to Edwards Jet Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday to see the B-17, famed for its ability to survive daylight bombing raids over Germany in World War II. Sentimental Journey is one of just 10 air-worthy examples remaining of the more than 12,000 produced.

For a $5 donation, people may tour the inside from the Plexiglas-nose bombardier's seat to the tail gunner's area at the rear. Just touching any of the 13 .50-caliber machine guns or inching down the catwalk over the bomb bays provides an unforgettable experience.

Tienvold said the best part of the B-17 tours comes when former crew members show up for their own sentimental journeys.

Everything aboard the vintage bomber reflects the exact specifications they flew with, from the seat belts with gatelike locks to the four turrets, radio operator station and Norden bombsight.

"We consider ourselves a flying museum," Tienvold said.

For a tax-deductible donation of $425 a person, visitors may become passengers aboard the silver bird. Just call (602)448-1499 to reserve a flight back in time.

Proceeds from tours and flights go to keep Sentimental Journey in top condition for the 50 to 70 flights to tour locations around the country.

Along with Tienvold, Sentimental Journey's crew of four included his co-pilot Chuck Harley, crew chief Tony Wiser and load master Robert Morrill. They, along with 500 others, volunteer their services as flight and ground crew in the Commemorative Air Force.

Just prior to the Friday ride, Morrill heightened the thrill factor as he briefed media about the plane along with providing several warnings.

"When the plane was built in 1944, there was no FAA," he said. "This is a very loud airplane."

He became more reassuring when he added that the agency inspects both the plane and its records. Morrill concluded by cautioning passengers not to step off the catwalk onto the bomb bay doors as they fly open with 110 pounds of pressure.

"That would cause me a lot of paperwork," he joked.

Morrill also warned against grabbing the cables for balance during turbulence since the pilot uses them to steer the airplane. Hydraulic controls were a distant dream in the 1940s.

Tienvold called it an extremely stable airplane.

"If you trim it out, it can fly itself," he said.

With more than 5,000 hours to his credit, the pilot said he still gets an adrenaline rush every time he touches down while flying the B-17. The challenge comes from keeping the nose up, putting the center of gravity on the landing gear and tail wheel.

"I call it a training wheel," he said. " When you touch down with this, your flying has just begun."

The B-17's four engines made a deafening roar as Tienvold hit the power for takeoff. Sentimental Journey's 104-foot wing span lifts into the sky with three Studebaker and one Wright Cycle engine providing 1,200 horsepower on take off.

The pilot's many flight hours provided a perfect take off from Glacier International Airport. Not bad for a guy who spends his real life as a CPA in Prescott, Ariz.

"I just do this for kicks and grins," he said.

Tienvold said pilots call flying the B-17 "dancing with the fat lady" as they choreograph their moves to keep the bomber airborne.

According to Tienvold, the B-17s would go up in groups of 18. They flew together in a box formation toward their bombing destinations in Germany.

The lead bombardier actually took control of the airplane when the crew began the bombing run on the target. He flew the plane through the bombsight linked to the autopilot to achieve a straight and level release through the hail of flak and fighter attacks.

Throughout the airplane, machine guns seem to project from every orifice. According to Tienvold, the opposing pilots had the same impression during World War II.

At a previous tour, he spoke with a German pilot who well-remembered his encounters with the armament of B-17s.

"He said it was making love to a porcupine," Tienvold said with a laugh.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com