Pic Today 7/30/14

WORLD WAR II

FLYING HISTORY

The most widely recognized and revered aircraft

of World War II is visiting St. Louis this week:

the B-17 Flying Fortress!

Along with the B-24 Liberator and the P-51 Mustang,

all these aircraft are preserved in working/flying condition,

and are open for inspection and boarding.

Of the 12,731 B-17's built, only 13 remain in 

flying condition.   The Flying Fortress was the center

of many famous battles in air campaigns 

which led to the end of World War II in 1945.

Climbing aboard, it was hard to imagine its crew of 10

had room to complete a mission.

(It had a range of 2,400 miles, and a top speed of 250mph!)

Tomorrow, photos of the notorious P-51 Mustang,

and a lucky passenger who paid for the chance

to ride along in this attack fighter.