Highfill (KFSM)- One of the 9 surviving B17 Flying Fortresses is at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) Monday (Sept. 8). The vintage bomber landed around 6:00 p.m and stay until Wednesday.
The B17 Flying Fortress played a crucial role in WWII. The Texas Raiders is owned by the Commemorative Air Force Gulf Coast Wing, a non-profit organization.
The bomber went through eight years of extensive restoration. It cost more than $600,000 to bring it to flying condition.
Lt. Colonel Buster McCall is a University of Arkansas Professor of Aerospace Studies.
”This one fully-restored B17 coming into Northwest Arkansas stands as a rugged tribute to all those airmen who served in the past, still serve and in the future who are flying, fighting and winning to maintain the safety of our nation and the liberties that we all come to expect here in the United States,” McCall said.
McCall said the airmen would go on dangerous missions. He said during one mission more than 1,000 airmen were killed who were in 100 bombers.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, very few of these bombers exist," McCall said. "If you are someone who likes technology, come see this plane because it was state of the art technology at the time when it flew and it will give you a sense of where we are now as to where we were then."
The B17 Texas Raiders was delivered to the US Army Air Force in July 1945 and its been owned by the Commemorative Air Force since 1967.
There will be 30-minute rides and tours with crew members.
Click here for the prices.