Tour a World War II B-17
"Sentimental Journey," a restored B-17 bomber, will be on display from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 28 to July 1 at the Rock County Airport, 4004 Oakhill Ave., Janesville.
n A $5 donation is requested for adults to walk through the plane; a $3 donation for children.
Rides are available for $425 for all seats in the plane except for the nose of the plane, which is $600.
MONROE - During World War II B-17 bombers flown by American pilots ruled the skies over Germany and targeted German and Japanese factories and military sites.
People who visit the Rock County Airport between June 28 and July 1 will be able to see one of the original airplanes that helped the United States win the war.
Dave Blum, Monroe, is a member of the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. He spends part of the year in Monroe and the part of the year in Arizona.
The organization will bring a B-17, called "Sentimental Journey," to the airport near Janesville as part of a tour to allow people to see a WW II bomber up close.
Blum, a 30-year United States Air Force veteran, has always been interested in aviation history.
"I'm a World War II airplane buff," he said.
Last year he took a ride in a P-51 Mustang, which was a type of plane used during the war to provide support for the B-17s.
He knows about planes and the men who flew the missions over Germany and Japan.
The average age of a crew member in a B-17 was 19, he said. The average age of the pilots was 21. Crews were allowed to go home after they flew 25 mission, but it was rare that crew members would live past three missions.
There were no creature comforts in the plane, Blum said. It was often so cold inside the plane during missions that the crew got frostbite.
Blum said that 50 percent of the B-17s that flew over Nazi Germany were shot down. It wasn't until the P-51s were built and used as support planes that the B-17s were able to reach Berlin.
The plane on display at the Rock County Airport was built in 1944, Blum said. It was used in the Pacific Theater to take photos of enemy positions and to pick up downed pilots from the Pacific Ocean.
After the war the plane was brought back to Florida and was used in sea rescue training exercises. It was also used to help fight fires in California. Like most of the B-17s that survived the war, when it was no longer needed, it was thrown away. The plane ended up in the scrap yard in Arizona.
It was bought by an individual and given to the Arizona Commemorative Air Force.
The organization spent 10 years restoring the plane.
"They took it completely apart and restored it," he said.
The plane is considered one of the best restored planes around, Blum said, proudly.
People who visit the Rock County Airport between June 28 and July 1 will be able to see one of the original airplanes that helped the United States win the war.
Dave Blum, Monroe, is a member of the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. He spends part of the year in Monroe and the part of the year in Arizona.
The organization will bring a B-17, called "Sentimental Journey," to the airport near Janesville as part of a tour to allow people to see a WW II bomber up close.
Blum, a 30-year United States Air Force veteran, has always been interested in aviation history.
"I'm a World War II airplane buff," he said.
Last year he took a ride in a P-51 Mustang, which was a type of plane used during the war to provide support for the B-17s.
He knows about planes and the men who flew the missions over Germany and Japan.
The average age of a crew member in a B-17 was 19, he said. The average age of the pilots was 21. Crews were allowed to go home after they flew 25 mission, but it was rare that crew members would live past three missions.
There were no creature comforts in the plane, Blum said. It was often so cold inside the plane during missions that the crew got frostbite.
Blum said that 50 percent of the B-17s that flew over Nazi Germany were shot down. It wasn't until the P-51s were built and used as support planes that the B-17s were able to reach Berlin.
The plane on display at the Rock County Airport was built in 1944, Blum said. It was used in the Pacific Theater to take photos of enemy positions and to pick up downed pilots from the Pacific Ocean.
After the war the plane was brought back to Florida and was used in sea rescue training exercises. It was also used to help fight fires in California. Like most of the B-17s that survived the war, when it was no longer needed, it was thrown away. The plane ended up in the scrap yard in Arizona.
It was bought by an individual and given to the Arizona Commemorative Air Force.
The organization spent 10 years restoring the plane.
"They took it completely apart and restored it," he said.
The plane is considered one of the best restored planes around, Blum said, proudly.