Spring, Texas (June 13, 2017) At the end of July, 1945 the shiny new airframe that became the famous WWII Flying Fortress Texas Raiders rolled off the assembly line in Long Beach, California. The ensuing seventy years have seen the big bomber proudly serve her country in the military, in civilian aviation, and now as a flying museum for the Commemorative Air Force. Painted today in the colors of the “Mighty Eighth” Air Force in WWII, Texas Raiders highlights her summer 2017 tour with a visit to the Allegheny County Airport, June 19-22.
The United States built over 12,700 B-17’s and fewer than a dozen still fly today. CAF B-17 Texas Raiders was the first Flying Fortress to be restored solely for the purpose of education and use as a flying museum, and is one of the most accurately restored B-17’s, bristling with machine guns and featuring period-specific equipment.
It’s a classic barnstorming visit to Pittsburgh, sponsored in part by Allegheny County Airport. The public is invited to enjoy an on-board tour with the aircraft crew, or take the ultimate Living History Flight Experience and see the three rivers from the sky! Join us at Allegheny County Airport Terminal, 12 Allegheny County airport, West Mifflin, PA 15122. Tours of the aircraft are $10 for adults, $5 for children or $20 for a family of up to five members. Flights on the Flying Fortress start at $475. Tours start at 1:00 PM on Monday June 19 th and at 10:00 AM Tuesday through Thursday June 20 th thru 22 nd, and run through 4:00 PM each day. Those who wish to fly on Texas Raiders can call 1-855-FLY-A-B17 (1-855-359-2217) or reserve on line at www.B17TexasRaiders.org.
About the Commemorative Air Force
The Commemorative Air Force honors the men and women who built, maintained, and flew in these vintage airplanes during World War II and takes the airplanes to the people allowing them to experience the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight.
Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A 501 (c) 3 educational organization, the CAF has more than 11,000 members and a fleet of 166 airplanes distributed throughout the country. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org
Join us on Facebook at B-17 Texas Raiders and follow us on Twitter @B17TexasRaiders
For more information about the CAF see www.CommemorativeAirForce.org and the Gulf Coast Wing go to www.B17TexasRaiders.org
WWII B-17 BOMBER AT ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT THIS WEEK
