NEWS RELEASE

Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing

2017 N. Greenfield Road • Mesa, Arizona 85215
www.azcaf.org
Telephone: 602-448-9415

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 August 10, 2011, Mesa, Arizona

WHAT:  Airplane enthusiasts and history buffs will want to see these famous aircraft of WWII coming to Elko Regional Airport. B-17 Flying Fortress ’Sentimental Journey’ and B-25 Mitchell ‘Maid in the Shade’ from the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum will be on display at Elko Regional Airport offering rides and tours Thursday, September 8 through Sunday, September 11. Both bombers will be on display at El Aero Services and are the main attraction for the Skyfair event on September 10.

The restored WWII bombers will give the public an up-close and personal look of aviation history. The public is invited to tour these airplanes. There’s even the opportunity for some lucky individuals to actually take a flight in the bombers and experience flying in these aircraft first-hand. A portion of the flight cost is tax-deductible. Only a handful of these rare birds remain in the world today and even fewer provide the opportunity to experience flight just as the flight crews did during WW II. 

B-17 Tours - $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children ages 5 through 12 and free for children under 5

B-17 flights are available starting at $425.00 per person. You can make a reservation on the B-17 by calling 602-448-9415 or by visiting the bomber.

B-25 flights are available starting a $395 per person. You can make a reservation on the B-25 by calling 480-322-5503 or by visiting the bomber.

WHERE:  The aircraft will be on display at the Elko Regional Airport

WHEN: The B-17 and B-25 are scheduled to arrive at Elko Regional Airport.

September 8 – 12 noon arrival and on display till 6:00 PM

September 9 - September 11 – 9:00 AM till 6:00 PM

September 12 Morning departure for Twin Falls, ID

 

WHO: The Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum maintains and flies several WWII aircraft including the Boeing B-17 ’Sentimental Journey’ and B-25 ‘Maid in the Shade’. The Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum operates the aviation museum located at Falcon Field airport, Mesa, AZ (http://www.azcaf.org).

WHY: The WWII bombers are maintained and operated as a flying museum and memorial to all our veterans by the all-volunteer non-profit Commemorative Air Force, Arizona Wing Aviation Museum based in Mesa, AZ at Falcon Field Airport. The Arizona Wing members restored the 1944 WWII
B-17 Flying Fortress ’Sentimental Journey’ which is the most fully restored B-17 flying today. There are roughly 8 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world.  The B-25 Mitchell Bomber ‘Maid in the Shade’ is a veteran with 15 combat missions flying out of Corsica during WWII. The restoration to bring “Maid in the Shade” back to flying condition took 28 years and was completed May 2009. The Arizona Wing Aviation Museum and its restored aircraft and artifacts span over 90 years of aviation history.

The public will not only have the opportunity to look over the aircraft from the inside out, but to hear and see these famous aircraft fly. It’s a unique opportunity for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs young and old. Aviation gifts will be available for purchase through the PX. See the Arizona Wing CAF website for more information www.azcaf.org

Media requests for further information e-mail Rick Senffner for information or images at pio@azcaf.org