B-17 Flying Fortress

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:28 pm

WWII B-17 Flying Fortress coming to Council Bluffs

One of the last flying WWII B-17 bombers, “Sentimental Journey,” will be on display and available for rides and tours at Council Bluffs Municipal Airport beginning Monday through Sunday, Sept. 15.

Local CAF Wing Leader Jeff Hutcheson said the Commemorative Air Force Museum and Hangar located at the Council Bluffs Municipal Airport will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to the B-17, planes on display will include a Mustang P51D World War II fighter plane with 1490 horsepower Merlin engine and a T6 Texan. . .

As part of the week-long event, the local CAF wing will host a fly-in/drive-in breakfast featuring pancakes served by The Pancake Man from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday followed by a fly-in/drive-in lunch catered by Hy-Vee from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a charge for those enjoying breakfast or lunch during the event. In addition, the CAF Museum open house will continue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was the primary bomber used by the American Air Force against friend Germany. Of the 12,731 B-17s originally built, less than 10 remain in flying condition and only a very few fly regularly. . . .

A flight in this historic warbird starts at $425.00 per person. Current plans call for flights to be available Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For flight reservations, call 602-448-9415 or email b17rc@azcaf.org. Cockpit tours are only $5; ground viewing and photo opportunities are free to the visiting public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. . . .

Post by **Brad** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:31 pm

Awesome! Â I need to get over there!

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:59 pm

Fan-freaking-tastic!

S33 · Post by **S33** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:38 pm

CB has a runway large enough for a sluggish old bomber like that?

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 8:18 pm

According to the internet, it only needs 3,400 ft of runway for takeoff. That might even be when it's loaded with ordnance. Council Bluffs airport has a 5,500 ft runway.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 8:19 pm

jessep28 wrote:According to the internet, it only needs 3,400 ft of runway for takeoff. That might even be when it's loaded with ordnance. Council Bluffs airport has a 5,500 ft runway.

wow. so, not to keep pressing on the issue, but what kind of jets use the CB airport? Obviously no commercial passenger jets, right? (yeah, I know, stupid question but I barely even knew they had an airport

Post by **Brad** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 9:32 pm

S33 wrote:
jessep28 wrote:According to the internet, it only needs 3,400 ft of runway for takeoff. That might even be when it's loaded with ordnance. Council Bluffs airport has a 5,500 ft runway.
wow. so, not to keep pressing on the issue, but what kind of jets use the CB airport? Obviously no commercial passenger jets, right? (yeah, I know, stupid question but I barely even knew they had an airport

The Council Bluffs Airport is very nice! Â I have used it several times for Aerial Photos. Â Everything is brand knew from the runway to the FBO, its all great.

Jason4225 · Post by **Jason4225** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 9:45 pm

I was fortunate enough to get to ride in a B-17 about 7 years ago when it stopped in Omaha. Defintely a once in a lifetime event. I'm not sure if it was the same one or not.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 9:50 pm

Jason4225 wrote:I was fortunate enough to get to ride in a B-17 about 7 years ago when it stopped in Omaha. Defintely a once in a lifetime event. I'm not sure if it was the same one or not.

Wasn't the one that came here the one that crashed?

Post by **Brad** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:56 am

How long is the flight for $425?

guitarguy · Post by **guitarguy** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:22 pm

I was wondering the same thing.. for that kind of change I would like to up for at least 30 mins haha..

Post by **Brad** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:31 pm

guitarguy wrote:I was wondering the same thing.. for that kind of change I would like to up for at least 30 mins haha..

A friend if mine told me he thought it was 7min, which was why I was wondering.

guitarguy · Post by **guitarguy** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:33 pm

If I had the extra money I would put my Dad up who has been a lifelong WW2 junkie and know that he got to go before these planes were all decommissioned..

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:49 am

Plane arriving on Monday

Disclaimer: Not my photo

Jason4225 · Post by **Jason4225** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:57 am

If I remember right, it was about a 25-30 minute flight. It was great to walk around in the plane, sit in the different positions. I've been in many planes over the years, and I would have to describe the B-17 like a Cadillac. Very smooth flight.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Sep 14, 2013 4:51 pm

Saw it fly by UNMC today...

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 11:17 am

Saw it coming in for landing after a flight Saturday, and then on ground yesterday, wish the sun had been out for photos, would have been great. Â Impressive bird!

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:16 pm

B-17 bomber visits Council Bluffs, People tour plane that carried out missions during World War II

Families in Council Bluffs had the chance to peek inside a piece of history Saturday as a B-17 bomber named Sentimental Journey was on display at the municipal airport. . .

Others, like a man Bolke met this weekend in Council Bluffs, simply touch the blue star and say it’s a time to say goodbye to old ghosts.

There are only about 50 B-17 bombers like Sentimental Journey left in the U.S. Only eight can still fly.

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:12 pm

Nice story, but I'm surprised KETV didn't include any footage of the B-17 actually flying. Too impatient I guess.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 12:03 pm

The "Memphis Belle" Arrives July 5th

The famous Boeing B-17 known as the “Memphis Belle” will be open for flights to the public on Saturday, July 5th at Council Bluffs Municipal Airport. . .

The “Memphis Belle” will be open for flights to the public on July 5th every hour on the hour, from 10:00 to 2:00.

Maher says there will also be ground tours of the aircraft that day from 2:30 to sunset.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 1:15 pm

It may already be in the area. It or a plane just like it flew over the 52 and Center HyVee on Monday.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 1:27 pm

Brad wrote:It may already be in the area. It or a plane just like it flew over the 52 and Center HyVee on Monday.

I saw a prop plane flying over Bellevue/Offutt on Monday as well. I am not sure it was the B-17, but I am sure it will be here soon if it isn't already.

Jason4225 · Post by **Jason4225** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 2:24 pm

It was in Sioux City all week last week and flew to Mankato on Monday I believe. They had 7 open seats for free to Mankato, unfortunately I had to work.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Jul 05, 2014 4:14 pm

Just flew over the old market at 4:10 heading west.

Post by **Coyote** » Sat Jul 05, 2014 4:24 pm

It has been flying over south Omaha area for hours now.

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