SLIDESHOW: KHQ Takes Flight On B-17 Flying Fortress - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

SLIDESHOW: KHQ Takes Flight On B-17 Flying Fortress

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by Cory Howard, KHQ.com Producer - email
PHOTO: Reed Schmitt PHOTO: Reed Schmitt

KHQ.COM - The Liberty Foundation's 2013 Salute to Veterans tour has hit Spokane, and Monday afternoon KHQ's Reed Schmitt took a test flight on a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

The B-17 "Memphis Belle" is one of only thirteen B-17 bombers still flying to today. The particular plane that Reed flew on was built towards the end of the war and never saw any combat, but it is painted in the colors and nose art of the original historic "Memphis Belle" that flew countless missions during WWII. 

The plane in this tour was actually in the movie "Memphis Belle," and you have the opportunity to take a flight on May 11th and 12th. The B-17 flight experience takes about 45 minutes with about 30 of those minutes in flight. Flights are $410 for Liberty Foundation members and $450 for non-members. That may sound expensive, but to fly the plane costs $4500 per flight hour and The Liberty Foundation spends over $1.5 Million annually to keep the B-17 airworthy. 

Ground tours will also be available in the afternoons of the 11th and 12th at Felts Field.

If you'd like to know more you can contact The Liberty Foundation at 918-340-0243, or visit their website by clicking HERE.