[Dan in Wichita]

Just a few days ago on July 4th I had the opportunity to climb aboard a B-25. Sat in the front gunners seat and tried to imagine what it must have been like. Those men must have been limber to get around in that aircraft. It's tight! (especially for an old geezer like me.)

The whole thing inspired me so much, last Saturday night I watched "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" on Vudu.

[Loud Mime]

My father flew fighters during the war and a few years afterward; but he LOVED the B-25. I never asked him for details of why. RIP, Dad.

[rellic]

Guys in those days were shorter. Most military aircraft are designed for people five foot eight or less.

[oldvirginian]

“Those men must have been limber to get around in that aircraft. It’s tight!”

I’m a big fan of shows that feature restoration of historical war machines. One show had a pilot who flew a Supermarine Spitfire during the Battle of Britain. When the restoration was complete the old fellow struggled into the cockpit, once in he deadpanned “I seem to remember having a bit more space back in the day.” He then explained it was even a close fit back then.
When the restoration crew asked what he thought of their work he said it looked like a Spitfire, smelt like a Spitfire, but there was something missing. They fired up the rebuilt Merlin V-12 and the old boy smiled “yes, that is a Spitfire.”