I've had the opportunity to fly in a B-17 and this is a real fucking shame. The aircraft is a sight to see when in the air. The dudes who fly them are usually all volunteers and nice people, usually on the less looney side for veterans of that era. It's kinda dark but honestly, I bet a couple of guys on the plane wanted to go out this way, live out some WWII fantasy.

Anyway, they probably shouldn't by flying these old planes this hard - especially in a pursuit / wingman type of format.