|
 |
|
|
Step back in time and watch in awe as these legendary WWII heavy bombers make a bombing run complete with a stunning pyrotechnic display. The “Hollywood” Memphis Belle, a former firebomber B-17G-85-DL, was converted into a B-17F configuration in order to appear in the 1990 fictionalized version of the Memphis Belle. Originally painted with the Warner Bros. movie version of the nose art and markings, the B-17 now carries the historic markings found on the actual Memphis Belle. The Sentimental Journey entered service in the U.S. Army Air Force on March 13, 1945. Although it was manufactured too late to see service in the European war, the aircraft was assigned to the Pacific theater for the duration of the war. In 1947, the aircraft was removed from storage in Japan and assigned to Clark Field in Manila as a photo-mapping plane. For nearly three years she served in that capacity, flying to all corners of the Pacific in the configuration of a RB-17G. Sentimental Journey served in a variety of capacities during the 1950’s and then during the 1960’s and 70’s she battled forest fires throughout the country. Since 1979 the aircraft has been part of the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in Mesa, Arizona. Flight opportunities are available on SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY. A flight on SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY is $425 per person for the waist section and $600 per person in the nose section. A portion of the flight cost is tax-deductible. The total experience will average 45 minutes and include boarding, engine start, taxi, takeoff and landing and shutdown. For more information and to make reservations call 602-448-9415. 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. |
