One of last airworthy B-17s to visit Montgomery

One of the most iconic aircraft of World War II will be landing in Montgomery in October, giving area residents the chance to fly in an authentic bomber from that era.

The restored B-17, or "Flying Fortress," will be at Dannelly Field and available for tours and flights from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. It is one of the few remaining B-17s in the world that remains airworthy.

At $449 apiece, the flights won't be cheap, but neither is the maintenance of a B-17, said Stan Tew, president of the Montgomery chapter of the nonprofit Experimental Aircraft Association. Ground tours of the aircraft will be available for $10.

Tew said the main reason the bomber is on tour is for the history lesson it provides and to honor veterans.

"The purpose of this tour, bringing this aircraft around, is to remind people of the service and sacrifice of the people who used these machines in the war," Tew said.

Some of the money from the tour will go toward the local EAA chapter, but the vast majority will go toward the maintenance and operation of the aircraft, which is "tremendously expensive," Tew said.

"When they built it, they were not concerned with fuel economy, they were concerned with power," Tew said.

The plane uses about 160 gallons of fuel an hour even when it is just cruising through the air, Tew said, adding that the B-17 also is a notorious oil guzzler.

There were 12,732 B-17s produced between 1935 and 1945, according to the EAA website. Today, there are fewer than 15 that remain airworthy, the website states.

The airplane is nicknamed "Aluminum Overcast," which is a reference to the sheer numbers of B-17s that filled the skies over Europe during World War II, Tew said.

The plane itself was produced too late to be used in the war, Tew said. It was one of the many B-17s that were sold as surplus after the war ended, and the plane was donated to the EAA in 1983.

The plane is fully restored and authentic, although there are additions such as GPS and modern radios to ensure safety and to comply with flight regulations.

Montgomery was scheduled to receive the B-17 for tours and flights in 2005, but Hurricane Katrina foiled that plan.

The plane's next stop after Montgomery that year was scheduled to be New Orleans, so the entire trip was scrapped.

Tew said he hopes as many veterans as possible will show up for the tours and flights, giving other people the chance to thank them and the veterans a chance to reflect on their experiences.

"It seems to be very cathartic for the veterans themselves," he said of the tours.

B-17 FLIGHTS

What: A restored B-17 that was built for use in World War II

When: Oct. 31 through Nov. 2

Where: Dannelly Field in Montgomery

Price: Advance tickets are $409 for Experimental Aircraft Association members and $449 for non-members; on site, tickets will be $435 for members and $475 for non-members.

To reserve a flight: Visit B17.org or call 800-359-6217