PLATTSBURGH — A piece of World War II landed in Plattsburgh last week, giving residents a first-hand look at some of the machines that won the war.
Two World War II bomber planes, a B-17 and B-25, were in Plattsburgh to offer private flights and ground tours during this year’s Flying Legends of Victory Tour.
“We come from Arizona, the Airforce Base Arizona Commemorative Air Force unit,” Mitch Middagh, ground operations coordinator said.
“Every summer we go on tour. and we’re stopping at 24 different cities this year. Plattsburgh is stop number 15. After this we head up to Canada, then down through the midwest returning home to Arizona in September.”
TOUR
The bombers receive regular maintenance throughout the winter to prepare for next year’s tour.
According to Middagh, the B-17 and B-25 spend one week in select cities all over the country, offering people a closer look at the planes.
“We give people rides in these historic bombers. and we also open them on the ground for static display,” he said.
“We let people inside and out. They can really get their hands on the interior. Smell it. Feel it. and experience what it is like to be inside one of these machines.”
The Boeing B-17 was most famous for operations in Europe, but was used in every theater of war from 1941-45.
The B-17 cruise speed was about 160 miles per hour; maximum altitude was 36,000 feet. At high bombing altitudes in unheated aircraft, extreme temperatures subjected many crew members to frostbite.
“Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey,” is one of only five currently flying in the world out of over 12,000 manufactured for combat during World War II, according to a release.
“Born,” in November of 1944, “Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey” was brought into the war late, seeing no combat, but flew missions in the Pacific Theater.
After the war, she flew for training, testing, and air-sea rescue missions and was eventually sold for surplus and used as a fire bomber for about 18 years.
In 1978, the aircraft was purchased by a Commemorative Air Force member and donated to the newly formed Arizona unit of the world-famous CAF.
The bomber was meticulously restored and is today maintained and operated by all-volunteer crews from the membership of CAF Airbase Arizona.
“Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey” has been featured in the film “1941” (1979), the documentary, “All the Fine Young Men,” and it’s take-off, landing, engine and other sounds were recorded and used in the Apple TV+ series “Masters of the Air,” (2024).
B-25
The B-25 proved to be one of the best weapons and was possibly the most versatile aircraft of World War II.
Heavily armed, it was utilized for high and low-level bombing, strafing, photo-reconnaissance, and submarine patrol.
Its most distinguishing role was in the historic raid over Tokyo in 1942 by the Doolittle Raiders.
The B-25 saw duty in every combat area flown by the Dutch, British, Chinese, Russian, Australian, and U.S. forces.
The B-25J, “Maid in the Shade,” served wartime duty with the 319th Bomb Group, 437th Squadron at Serragia Airbase, Corsica.
There, it was assigned Battle Number 18. The plane flew 15 combat missions over Italy and Yugoslavia between Nov. 4 and Dec. 31, 1944, the majority of the targets were railroad bridges.
After the war, she was used as a trainer before being sold at auction and used as an insect sprayer. The B-25J was acquired by Airbase in 1981 and after a 28-year extensive restoration, flew again in 2009.
It takes a lot of time, money and talented individuals to keep these machines in top shape and working order, according to Middagh.
“The center of the world for warbird entertainment is the maintainers. Some are in their 30s and some are in their 80s. One of our maintenance guys is older than the planes; he’s 87.”
According to Jim Perry, Tour Crew, both planes use up to 50 gallons of fuel per engine, per hour.
“Maid in the Shade,” was used in the Doolittle Raid, also known as the Tokyo Raid, in April 1942.
CROWD PLEASERS
The bomb-bay doors of both planes are signed by combat veterans, including three original B-25 pilots who flew during the war.
Approximately 10,000 B-25s were produced and “Maid in the Shade” is one of 34 still flying today.
Flights and ground tours were offered from Thursday, July 11 to Sunday, July 14.
“It’s been a great time, the people here in Plattsburgh are amazing. Everyone who shows up is so interested, either in these planes or in aircraft. Some people who come have never seen anything like this before and it’s a dream to get inside one,” Middagh said.
The B-17 had six available waist compartment seats and two bombardier or navigator seats per flight, the B-25 had four radio compartment seats and three jump seats per flight.
The ground tours offered a closer look at the planes, inside and out.
“I like the bomb,” visitor Wesley Corron said.
“These guys were pretty impressed, I’ve seen these planes before at other museums but it’s always impressive,” visitor Chuck Dumont said.
A major difference between these World War II era planes and those you might find in the sky today is the technology. Being made in the 1930s and 1940s, there are no computers or automated systems, everything is analog.
“She is a beaut. For a 90-something-year old, she still looks good,” visitor Cordell Tupia said.
Tupia had the opportunity to see these planes during their last visit, but this time he got to get inside and see for himself what the pilots had to experience.
“If I had a choice between getting inside of a tank, or inside these planes, I would pick the plane again any day,” he said.