(La Porte, IN) - This plane never flew in combat but ones just like it helped the country to victory in World War II. People have a chance to board and even fly in the B-17 bomber which landed Tuesday at La Porte Municipal Airport.
The plane is one of six WWII aircraft owned by the Mesa, Arizona branch of the Commemorative Air Force.
The B-17 bomber has given tours and rides across the country annually since restored in 1983, said Mike Garrett, a retired aeronautics engineer and member of the all-volunteer organization.
He said the mission of the group is honoring the fighter pilots of the war and keep alive what they endured at tremendous risk "to preserve our freedoms.”
Garrett said one-third of the American fighter pilots at the height of the war died prior to the 25 flight missions they had to complete before returning home. He said an equal number were shot down and taken prisoner.
“It was pretty rugged duty,” Garrett said.
Garrett said the B-17 bomber was built in 1944 but once accepted into the military the war ending in 1945 was just months from ending. The plane was first used in the South Pacific on mapping and reconnaissance missions and collecting data in the clouds from atomic weapons testing, he said.
Garrett said the plane, after it was sold at an auction, was used as a water bomber to help put out forest fires. Much of the plane is still original and so are it's four extremely loud engines.
Replacement parts for the engines are no longer available but there are shops that can make them to specifications when called upon.
“We feel very fortunate our plane is doing well. We love to take it on a tour and show it off,” he said.
Diane Schwarz, Operations Manager at the airport, said the tours are $10 per person or $20 for a family of four. She said morning rides will be offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The rides cost $425 or $850 per person depending on where each individual wants to sit on the plane. “Not cheap but it’s a once in a lifetime experience,” Schwarz said.
Schwarz said one of the routes Saturday will take the plane over some of the retirement and nursing homes from Valparaiso to South Bend so any residents who might be a veteran of the war can look up and see the aircraft.
Ironically, Saturday is the 75th anniversary of Japan when the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima surrendering to end the war.
This year is also the 75th anniversary of the airport which brought in the plane to help celebrate the milestone. “It’s pretty exciting all of the things that came together to make this happen,” Schwarz said.
