CAF B-17 Sentimental Journey to Nampa Airport
The nonprofit Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Arizona Base is planning a summer tour stop in Nampa, Idaho in conjunction with the Nampa Airport and Av Center – Nampa.
This visit offers a unique opportunity to see, tour and fly in one of the only 5 B-17s still flying.
Their B-17, Sentimental Journey, is planned to arrive at the Nampa Airport on Monday August 9, 2021 at 1100 and be there until departing on the morning of Monday, August 16. The airplane will be available for static display/ground tours Tues-Thurs from 0900 to 1800. Friday – Sunday plans include flights in the morning followed by static display/ground tours in the afternoon.
See information about the airplane at B-17G Flying Fortress | Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona (azcaf.org).
The B-17 Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey is one of only five currently flying in the world out of over 12,000 manufactured for combat during WWII – and is the leading exhibition warbird in The Flying Legends of Victory Tour conducted by CAF Airbase Arizona, a non-profit flying museum. The Boeing B-17 was most famous for operations in Europe but was used in every theater of war from 1941-45. B-17 cruise speed was about 160 miles per hour; maximum altitude was 36,000 ft. At high bombing altitudes in unheated aircraft, extreme temperatures subjected many crew members to frostbite.
Sentimental Journey was originally manufactured and delivered to the U.S. Army Air Forces for war service in 1944 – too late for European service but flew missions in the Pacific Theater. After the war, she flew for training, testing ,and air-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.
Information about the visit to Nampa, ground tours of the airplane and flights can be found at Nampa ID Tour Stop | Airbase Arizona Flying Museum (azcaf.org)