WIX Archives
Long Beach built B-17 returns...
Posted by bdk on Wed May 01, 2002 10:27:16 AM
In reply top null posted by null on null
A World War II B-17 bomber, one of the last still flying, is returning to Long Beach. The four-engine Flying Fortress was built in Long Beach and can be viewed on Wednesday through Friday, May 8-10. The vintage aircraft, along with a B-24 Liberator, will touch down at approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday and taxi into a viewing position adjacent to the AASI facility by the Long Beach Airport. The Collings Foundation, which is sponsoring the tour as a salute to WWII veterans, will welcome visitors to view the aircraft for free or climb aboard for a donation of $7 for adults and $4 for children. The Boeing B-17 is one of more than 3,000 built in Long Beach by Douglas Aircraft during WWII. In one of the ironies of war, more B-17s were built in Long Beach than Seattle where the aircraft was designed. The accompanying B-24 is the last flyable Liberator left from the nearly 20,000 built by Consolidated Vultee, Ford Motor Company, North American and Douglas during WWII.