B-17 Flying Fortress to arrive at Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight

See history come alive with rare warbird flights and ground tours

Englewood, CO (Aug. 30, 2021) – Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight is pleased to host a B-17 Texas Raiders Showcase from Sept. 3-9. A fleet of iconic World War II aircraft, led by the B-17 Flying Fortress Texas Raiders, will soar into Centennial Airport on Sept. 3 for seven days of cockpit tours and warbird flights.

Along with the B-17 Texas Raiders, the showcase will feature the SB2C Helldiver, SNJ-5 Texan and SNB Sonoran Beauty, all of which are from the Commemorative Air Force and notable for their historic importance and restored conditions.

The US built over 12,700 B-17’s and fewer than a dozen are airworthy. The B-17 Texas Raiders is one of out of three that are actively flying and offer public flights. This aircraft was the first Flying Fortress restored solely for educational purposes and to WWII configuration with machine guns and period-specific equipment. Accompanying the iconic bomber will be the world’s only flying dive bomber SB2C Helldiver, as well as the popular SNJ / T6 Texan advanced trainer. A WWII-era twin-engine transport, the locally-based 1943 Twin Beech 18 Sonoran Beauty, will also be hand in its original military configuration.

This week-long showcase requires event admission, which includes admission to Exploration of Flight as well as warbird ground tours. A limited number of flights are available for purchase through the Commemorative Air Force. Passengers will experience the engine start up sequence, a taxi to the runway, and a pause on the runway for a full engine run-up and flight clearance. Once airborne the flight lasts approximately 20-25 minutes.

Flight pricing and availability vary. Flights will take place at approximately 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and are subject to weather. Ground tours are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, excluding flight times.

For more information, visit https://explorationofflight.org/event/b-17-texas-raiders-showcase/.

About Wings Over the Rockies:

Wings Over the Rockies is a Colorado-based non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring all people about aviation and space endeavors of the past, present and future. By utilizing the Air & Space Museum in Denver’s historic Lowry neighborhood to preserve the past and the Exploration of Flight Center at Centennial Airport to focus on the present and future, Wings strives to encourage the future aerospace leaders of tomorrow. For more information about Wings Over the Rockies please visit WingsMuseum.org or ExplorationOfFlight.org.

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