“Sentimental Journey”, a B-17G Flying Fortress bomber, will be one of many vintage, military, and civil aircraft on display during Flying Fortress Week from Monday, July 10th to Sunday, July 16th.
Sentimental Journey is one of fewer than 10 B-17Gs around the world still flying today. The first B-17s went into combat in 1941 by the British Royal Air Force. They served in almost every theatre of World War II and dropped over 640,000 tons of bombs. The B-17G was produced in greater numbers than any other B-17 model, with a total of 12,731 aircraft produced by Boeing, Vega, and Douglas.
The heavy bomber will at the airport during Flying Fortress Week and you can buy tickets on-site for ground tours (tickets can be purchased from the B-17 crew at the aircraft). The ground tours are $5 for children, $10 for adults, and $20 for families.
Actual flights on the bomber will take place on Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th. There are only eight seats on the bomber, and all the seats for available flights have now been booked — at a cost of $425 US per seat, and $850 for each of the two bombardier seats.
On Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th, the B-17G bomber will also be joined by various vintage, military and civil aircraft for public display. There is no charge for visiting the aircraft display.
The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) will also participate in the event with a “fly-in”. COPA members will have their aircraft on display.
The Loomex Group, which operates the Peterborough Airport, will have their jet simulator on display. The jet simulator is used for large scale emergency exercises that include airport staff and response agencies.
Loomex will conduct an emergency exercise using the jet simulator on Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th. The times for the exercises will be posted on the Peterborough Airport website at www.peterboroughairport.com.
Coincidentally, the arrival of the Second World War bomber comes during the premiere of 4th Line Theatre’s new play Bombers: Reaping the Whirlwind — which tells the story of Canada’s World War II bomber pilots — runs from Tuesdays to Saturdays from July 4th to July 29th at the Winslow Farm (779 Zion Line, Millbrook), with an additional performance on Monday, July 24th.
