Simviation Forums

Whilst old news for avid enthusiasts, undoubtedly one of the more interesting passenger transports used by BOAC was the multi-role Mosquito.  Of course, one of the very few passengers usually had to ride in the bomb bay.

The current issue of The Aeroplane Monthly relates of an interesting adventure.  It seems that the passenger was equipped with, among other protective gear, an intercom microphone, especially useful since the airplane was have minor hydraulic troubles and the bomb bay doors were tended to slightly open.  If that happened, the hapless passenger would call and the pilot would close the doors.

The passenger survived the trip - barely.  During evasive maneouvers at one point, the microphone fell out.  Upon landing, the pilot discovered the doors open, and no passenger, who had finally dropped out during the landing roll out with a few bruises and scratches..


IT also has a photo of the B-17 undergoing restoration in Kissimmee, Florida but you've already seen a photo of that plane in the "Photos"  section here.

Interesting. I read a similar story recently (forget where) when the passenger's oxygen supply failed. Being unconscious he couldn't inform the crew who assumed the lack of contact was due to a faulty intercom. Apparently this was nothing unusual. The poor chap in the bomb bay was lucky to survive the experience. The whole thing sounds a tad risky to me.