A unique piece of history will be in the metro over the weekend. A Boeing B-17 from World War II is stationed at the Council Bluffs Airport and will be open to the public this Saturday.
The “Madras Maiden” is one of one a dozen B-17’s still flying in the country. The Liberty Foundation will take the plane around the country to share it's history.
“The B-17 to me is the airplane that really helped with the war,” said Pilot John Hess who has been flying with the Liberty Foundation for 12 years.
He said he gets to share an important piece of history with people all across the country.
”They were able to put enough airplanes in the air to deliver the bombs to be able to take down Hitler and help with the war for Germany,” he said.
The plan is as authentic as you can get, you’ll hear the unique sound, smell the four 12,000 horse powered engines, and see some breathtaking views of Omaha in the air.
Hess said the best part about taking the plane around is hearing all the veterans open up about what happened during the war.
“The flood of memories that come upon them, both good and bad I’m sure,” he said. “This is just history we want them to share with us.”
The “Madras Maiden” is painted in the colors of the 381st Bomb Group that dropped over 22,000 tons of bombs during the war.
“Nobody walks away from this airplane without being impressed,” said Hess.
People can take a ride on the flying fortress for $450 or they can tour the airplane when it lands at the airport on Saturday.
