In cities across the U.S., vintage military aircrafts 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 13, aviation history flies out of the museums and into the skies as the Commemorative Air Force thunders into Clarksville, 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 Clarksville Regional Airport, July 13 – 15.
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 machine guns, and featuring period-specific equipment.
Hosted by the Clarksville Airport, 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 called Little Raider in which the whole family can fly together. 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 at Clarksville Regional Airport — Outlaw Field, 200A Outlaw Field Road in Clarksville or to take the ultimate Living History Flight Experience and see Clarksville and Ft. Campbell 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 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, excluding flying times.
Admission to the event is $10 per adult, $5 for children under 12, and $20 for a family of up to five. Admission includes access to all the aircraft for cockpit tours. Active-duty service men and women are admitted free.
Those who wish to fly can call 1-855-359-2217 or reserve online at B17TexasRaiders.org. See more on Facebook.com/B17TexasRaiders.
