Vintage WWII Warbirds arrive at Evansville’s Wartime Museum

Evansville  - In cities across the U.S., vintage military aircraft rest quietly in museums, where school children and tourists admire them, take their pictures and leave them behind closed doors at the end of each day. 

On July 9, 2021, aviation history blasts out of the museums and into the skies as the Commemorative Air Force thunders into Evansville, led by the B-17 Flying Fortress Texas Raiders.  Accompanying the big bomber will be two other vintage World War II aircraft, all of whom are arriving for three days of tours and warbird flights at Evansville’s Wartime Museum, 7503 Petersburg Road (north of Evansville off Highway 41) in Evansville, Indiana.

The B-17 Flying Fortress Texas Raiders is one of only four remaining that are actively flying today. This aircraft was the first Flying Fortress to be restored solely for the sake of education and use as a flying museum, and is accurately restored to World War II configuration, bristling with period-specific equipment.

The weekend event is hosted by the Evansville Wartime Museum and will run through Sunday afternoon. Other visiting aircraft will include the popular SNJ / T-6 Texan advanced trainer in which thousands of airmen learned to fly for combat, as well as the twin engine Navy JRB transport Little Raider in which the whole family can fly together. Also on display will be Evansville’s home-town favorite P-47 Thunderbolt Hoosier Spirit II.  All the aircraft are notable for their historic importance and level of restoration.

The public is invited to enjoy on-board tours with the aircraft crew, or to take the ultimate Living History Flight Experience and see Evansville from the sky! A limited number of flights are available on the warbirds. Flights on the B-17 start at $495; flights on the T-6 are $380, seats on the Navy transport start at only $100. Ground tours will be conducted from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday July 9, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 10 and 11, excluding flying times. Admission to the event is $20 per person and includes full admission to the museum and on-board tours of the visiting warbirds. 

Those who wish to fly can call 855-FLY-A-B17 (1-855-359-2217) or reserve online at www.B17TexasRaiders.org or see more on Facebook.com/B17TexasRaiders.