B-17 Sentimental Journey Airbase Arizona
Description:
Base:
Mesa, AZ
Website:
| B-17 Specs | |
|---|---|
| Role | Heavy Bomber |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Introduced | April 1938 |
| Produced | 1936-1945 |
| Power | 4 × Wright R-1820-97 "Cyclone" turbosupercharged radial engines, 1,200 HP each |
| Length | 74 ft 4 in |
| Height | 19 ft 1 in |
| Wingspan | 103 ft 9 in |
| Range | 2,000 mi |
Sentimental Journey was originally manufactured and delivered to the U.S. Army Air Forces for war service in 1944 where she flew missions in the Pacific Theater. After the war she flew for training, testing and at-sea rescue missions and was eventually sold for surplus and used as a fire bomber. In 1978 the aircraft was purchased by a Commemorative Air Force (CAF) member and donated to the newly formed Arizona unit of the world-famous CAF. She was meticulously restored and is today maintained in tip-top condition and operated by all-volunteer crews from the membership of CAF Airbase Arizona.
A true icon of World War II, the mighty B-17 earned the nickname “Flying Fortress” owing to its considerable defensive armament. A quick look at the airplane, and it is clear how the B-17 earned its name. The G model bristled with 13 .50 caliber guns for use during long missions into Germany, where the aircraft bombed industrial targets essential to the Nazi war machine.
