Restored B-17 Flying Fortress to Appear at CAF Dixie Wing World War II Days in May
PEACHTREE CITY, GA. (Feb. 11, 2020) – A restored B-17 Flying Fortress, Texas Raiders, will arrive for the 17th annual World War II Heritage Days, May 2-3, at the Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Georgia. Ground tours will be available, and rides can be purchased for flights Saturday and Sunday. The public also will have an opportunity to meet B-17 crewmen and other World War II veterans during the weekend, which this year is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing hosts the event annually at the CAF Dixie Wing Warbird Museum adjacent to the airport. Over the last 16 years, WWII Heritage Days has emerged as the largest annual World War II and 1940s theme event in Georgia. The entire weekend will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II with new events such as a Pass and Review parade, Warbird fly-by and a commemorative wall where families can highlight heroes of the Greatest Generation. The Dixie Wing hosted 78 World War II veterans at WWII Heritage Days in 2019, and efforts are underway to bring as many as possible in 2020.
The B-17G *Texas Raiders *is one of the most recognized and famous Flying Fortresses on the airshow circuit. It has been recognized by Air Classics magazine as the best restored operating B-17G bomber in the world. The aircraft has been restored to wartime configuration by an entirely volunteer group of dedicated supporters at the CAF Gulf Coast Wing in Houston.
This aircraft was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Corporation at Long Beach, California, (under license from Boeing Aircraft Corporation). It was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps on July 12, 1945 and was transferred to the U.S. Navy. July 21, 1945. Following Navy acceptance, it was converted to become one of the first Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) ocean patrol aircraft.
Rides in the B-17 Flying Fortress can be purchased at https://wwiidays.org/warbird-rides-2/.
“This is a rare opportunity to honor and thank our living World War II veterans, as well as remember those who have passed,” said Dixie Wing Leader Jim Buckley. “their numbers are dwindling rapidly, and WWII Heritage Days is a great opportunity to show them our gratitude. The mission of World War II Heritage Days is to celebrate the 1940s, salute the Greatest Generation and inspire all ages to preserve the legacy of America’s veterans.”
It is a can’t-miss experience for anyone who enjoys nostalgia, big- band music, swing dance, historic aircraft and military vehicles, antique cars and vintage fashion. The program features reenactors portraying Axis and Allied troops, sailors, airmen and Women Army Service Pilots (WASP). This year’s lineup will include several World War II aircraft, many of which are available to ride. Dozens of vintage military vehicles will be on display and will participate in the weekend’s first “Pass and Review,” to honor all WWII veterans present and showcase the vehicles and reenactor units. For more information, please visit www.wwiidays.org or call (678) 364-1110.
Admission for WWII Heritage Days is $10 for adults 17 and older and $5 for children 11-17. Children 10 and under and World War II veterans are admitted free. All public parking will be at the Cooper Eaton parking lot on Highway 74, with shuttle buses to the museum and grounds. WWII Heritage Days will take place rain or shine. Please no pets. Proceeds from the event help fund restoration and operation of the Dixie Wing fleet.
About the Commemorative Air Force The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is the world’s largest flying military aircraft museum. For more than 60 years, the CAF has been dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition, education and remembrance. Fulfilling its mission, the organization maintains airplanes in flying condition- take the airplanes to the people to experience first-hand the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight. The CAF is a non-profit educational association with more than 11,000 members and a fleet of 175 vintage military aircraft distributed throughout the U.S. For more information visit www.CommemorativeAirForce.org.
About the CAF Dixie Wing Warbird Museum The CAF Dixie Wing, based in Peachtree City, Ga., was founded in 1987. The Wing, one of the largest units of the Commemorative Air Force, maintains and flies seven WWII aircraft including a P-51 Mustang, an FG-1D Corsair and rare types such as the SBD Dauntless dive bomber and P-63A Kingcobra. The unit, composed of 300 volunteers, is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that relies on contributions of time and funds to carry out the mission of the CAF. For more information, go to www.dixiewing.org.
Contact: Steve Forsyth Public Information Officer CAF Dixie Wing (770) 714-7750 sforsyth106@gmail.com
