Want to fly on a World War II B-17? Ticket cost: $430

by Andrea James

Seattle-A restored World War II Boeing B-17 is coming to Seattle in April and will be offering flights to the public shortly after.

The B-17 was nicknamed the "flying fortress" for its number of armaments. The one coming to Seattle, named "Liberty Belle," will fly over the city for the first time on April 27.

Public flights are available May 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Each B-17 flight can take up seven people, who must reserve seats first-come, first-serve.

The cost of a ticket for the 45-minute ride is $395 for Liberty Foundation members and $430 for non-members. Watching the bomber fly, of course, is free of charge.

"While $430 per person sounds expensive, it must be put into perspective when compared to a B-17’s operating cost," The Liberty Foundation says. "A Flying Fortress costs over $4,500 per flight hour and the Liberty Foundation spends over $1,000,000 annually to keep the Liberty Belle airworthy and out on tour."

The Liberty Foundation is a non-profit museum based in Douglas, Ga. Call 918-340-0243 to schedule a flight.

Two World War II veterans are expected to fly over Seattle on April 27. Wilburn K. Ross is a Medal of Honor recipient and Carl Vest was a B-17 radio operator. Vest will ride in the B-17 for his first time since World War II.

The Liberty Belle started its 2009 "salute to veterans" tour in Atlanta. It visited Sacramento and Portland in April, and after Seattle, it will continue on to Spokane on May 9.

History of the B-17

Boeing Aircraft Co., based in Seattle, began construction of the famed B-17 bomber in 1934, according to a history provided by the non-profit The Liberty Foundation Inc.

The model flew for the first time in July 1935. Over the next 10 years, the planes "dropped 640,036 tons of bombs on European targets in daylight raids," according to the foundation.

Boeing produced 12,732 of them, but fewer than 100 exist today. The Liberty Belle is one of 14 B-17’s that still flies.

"Liberty Belle" never saw combat.

The B-17 flying fortress should not be confused with the B-52 "stratofortress" which was first deployed in 1955.

The Museum of Flight has its own B-17, which is in restoration.

Did you help design the B-17, or know someone who did?

http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/archives/167489.asp

Boeing B-17 Flight video:

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/405602_bomber28.html