Commemorative Air Force Offers Flights in B-17 This Weekend

The Commemorative Air Force, one of the world's largest private air forces with more than 160 airplanes in 80+ units across America that still flies today, will offer 25 minute flight in their B17!

From commemorativeairforce.org

"The CAF was founded to acquire, restore and preserve in flying condition a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States, and selected aircraft of other nations, for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans"

We spoke with Kevin Micheals, part of the CAF flight crew this morning and learned some remarkable facts about our nations history during WWII.

There were over 300,000 aircraft manufactured in the US during WWII. There were over 12,000 B-17's. The plane at this years Tuscaloosa Regional Airshow is one of only 11  B-17's left in the world. Thousands of planes were simply scraped after the war. The planes that were over seas were destroyed were that were.

The story of this particular B17 is a amazing. It was one of the last 20 to be produced as the war ended and surely was destined for the scrap yard. The Navy had a need for a plane like the B-17 so the Air Force turned the plan over to them a week after taking delivery. The Navy stripped it of all guns and sealed the bomb bay and outfitted it with a ray dome.  Turning the B17 in to the first Radar Early Warning Aircraft.

The CAF has restored the plane and you will have the opportunity to tour it for just $10 for adults and $5 for children at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airshow. If you've ever dreamed of flying in a B17, you can this weekend! Ask a crew member for flight prices.