BY EMILY ROGERS
Red Deer Express
The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum (AZCAF) is presenting a rare opportunity for Red Deerians to tour and ride in a war bird.
One of the most iconic airplanes from the Second World War will be stopping at the Red Deer Regional Airport from Aug. 7th to Aug. 13th.
The AZCAF will be hosting the Flying Legends of Victory Tour, which will be featuring the B-25 Mitchell ‘Maid in the Shade’ aircraft.
The bomber was flown during the Second World War, and is one of 34 aircrafts of its kind still flying in the world.
The public will have he opportunity to climb aboard the B-25 Bomber to soak in the breath-taking stories of courage and service.
Air Base Ride Coordinator Mike Mueller said there are multiple reasons the aircraft goes on tour such as informing the public about the aircrafts and honouring veterans.
This will be the third year the tour has come to Canada.
Mueller said the event has sparked a lot of interest and has been well received in the previous years from other communities. “The turn-outs have always been very good,” he added.
The aircraft was built in 1944.
It was developed by North American Aviation and used mainly as a low altitude strafe and skip bomber.
The B-25 Bomber was used in America’s first large-scale bombing in the Philippines; it sank eight ships and shot down five planes. The aircraft has flown in 15 combat missions from Nov. 1st through Dec. 31st, 1944.
“This is a bucket list item for a lot of people,” Mueller added. “The B-25 is a rarity.”
The war birds and their crews will visit approximately 50 cities from June through October to fulfill their mission of educating generations about the role of aviation in combat.
The AZCAF is a not-for profit organization and one of the top-rated adventure attractions in Phoenix.
Founded in 1977, the AZCAF is comprised of 500 member volunteers and is full of historical airplanes, including seven flyable war birds that offer living history rides and educational exhibits.
Tours of the B-25 Bomber will cost $10 per person or $325 per waist gunner compartment seat for flights.
Ride reservations are required. Individuals who are interested are asked to go to https://www.azcaf.org/location/springbrook-ab-tour-stop for more details and to book a seat for the flight tour.
