The "Flying Fortress" will be on display at Veteran's Airport of Southern Illinois on June 4 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. for walk-around tours, and for 24-minute flight experiences. (See ticket information linked below.)
The plane was fully restored by the Experimental Aircraft Association in 1993 after previously being a museum piece. EAA members will be there to talk about the plane, now dubbed "Aluminum Overcast."
The Flying Fortress was used primarily in Europe in countless missions from bases in England, often lasting for more than eight hours, and struck at targets deep within enemy territory.
During the war, B-17s were among the most modern aircraft in the U.S. inventory. However, the advent of the jet age and advances in technology made the Flying Fortress obsolete soon after the war. Most were cut up for scrap or sold on the surplus market.
Between 1935 and 1945, 12,732 B-17s were produced. Of these aircraft, 4,735 were lost during combat missions.
At one time, more than 1,000 B-17s could be assembled for mass combat missions. Today, less than 15 of Boeing's famous bombers can still take to the air, including EAA’s Aluminum Overcast.
On Tuesday in Marion, walk-around ground tour tickets are $10 for adults, or $20 for the family. Veterans and active military personnel are free, as are children under 8 with a paying adult.
Mission flights start at $409 for EAA members, and $449 for nonmembers. Click the link below to reserve a seat.
On the Net:
B-17 Tour tickets in Marion, IL on June 4EAA's B-17 Flight Experience webpage
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