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B-17 Lands in Bellingham August 14th

by Theresa Carpine8/12/2009 5:08:46 PM

Regular fans of Bellingham’s Heritage Flight Museum have an extra reason to visit this weekend when a fully-restored Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress returns to Bellingham International Airport on Friday, August 14, 2009 at noon. Restored and operated by the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, the B-17 Sentimental Journey first visited the HFM two years ago.

Photo by Lyle Jansma,
courtesy of Heritage Flight Museum

During this year’s visit, fans of flight have the opportunity to tour and even book a flight on Sentimental Journey, which was accepted into Army Air Corp service in 1945 for use in the Pacific during World War II.

Out of the 12,731 B-17s produced, only about 10 restored and airworthy examples remain today, making a trip to see Sentimental Journey a truly unique experience. The Flying Fortress was best known for its use in daylight bombing raids over Germany during World War II and its ability to sustain significant battle damage on these missions.

According to their website, Sentimental Journey was donated to the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in 1978. The organization initiated major restoration to the aircraft and training for crew members to fly Sentimental Journey in the CAF fleet. Since the mid-1980s, Sentimental Journey has visited hundreds of air shows and aircraft displays throughout the United States and Canada.

A chance to tour the aircraft inside and out, as well as see the B-17 in flight, is a great opportunity for airplane enthusiasts of all ages when this traveling museum comes to visit us in Bellingham. Tours are $5 for ages 13 and up, $3 for ages 5 to 12, and free for kids under 5. Tax-deductible flights are also available for $425. All tour proceeds benefit Sentimental Journey. Members of the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force are volunteers and the Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization.

Visitors are encouraged to come on Friday at noon to watch Sentimental Journey land at the Bellingham International Airport. On Saturday, August 15, the Heritage Flight Museum hosts its monthly flying day and open house. Bill Holloman, a Tuskegee Airman, will also visit the museum on Saturday to sign his book about the history of the Fighting 99th.

Visit Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and Heritage Flight Museum to learn more about aircraft history and restoration.

Check out a recap of the event in "Once in a Lifetime Flight Over Bellingham."

A Note About the Author: Theresa Carpine

Theresa Carpine graduated from WWU in 2006 with a BA in English Literature. She enjoys yoga, listening to music, riding her bike in downtown Bellingham, and babysitting really cute kids.