Well, B-17 no, B-29 YES! The CAF brought "FIFI", the last remaining flyable B-29, to Millington, TN airport. It was the chance of a lifetime that I could not pass on, so, me and my dove hunting buddy Burt reserved rides yesterday. Burt rode in the cock pit and I rode the tail gunner position. It was AWESOME!!
From the hints you should have gathered:
Think backwards: Tail gunner position.
Where Howard lives: Seattle, the home base of Boeing.
Significant date: Aug 6th 1945 was the atomic bombing of Japan. Bomb was dropped by the Enola Gay, a B-29. Yesterday was the 66th anniversary.