MFM's (formerly YAM) WWII B-17 Flying Fortress Air Adventure Rides, August 3rd, 2024
Schedule
Sat Aug 03 2024 at 01:00 pm to 07:30 pm
UTC+00:00Location
Liberty Aviation Museum | Port Clinton, OH
Michigan Flight Museum's (formerly Yankee Air Museum) WWII B-17 Flying Fortress "Yankee Lady" will be visiting the Liberty Aviation Museum & Tin Goose Diner in Port Clinton, Ohio, for flight experiences this year at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport Authority!!!
**9am-3pm**
**Flight experiences at the Liberty Aviation Museum during 2024 will be offered in several time slots: 10am, 11am, & Noon (more flight times may be added if flights sell out) on the following dates:
*Saturday, August 3rd, 2024
***Please always contact the Liberty Aviation Museum directly prior to traveling long distances out to verify that the event is still going on and/or if weather will prevent a cancellation if you have not purchased tickets for the plane ride.**
**Rides on the B-17 are $550.00 per person. 30min in the air, 15min of briefing and familiarization of aircraft. **
Riding in this magnificent flying machine is a bucket-list worthy affair! Soar through the sky and discover why it’s called the Flying Fortress.
$550.00 Per Person/$450.00 for Michigan Flight Museum (formerly Yankee Air Museum) members (Companion & Family levels only)
** Reservations can be made online here: www.yankeeairmuseum.org/fly
** Reservations can also be made by calling to schedule a ride on either the B-17, C-47, B-25, and/or Huey helicopter, contact:
734-252-6571 to place your order reservation over the phone or for questions.
Email: [email protected] to place your order reservation over the phone or for questions.
**Flight experiences on the B-17G are $550.00 and can be purchased as gifts for others. **
In inclement weather, the plane will not fly or travel out to the museum so please call before traveling long distances.
The B-17 "Yankee Lady" is owned and operated by the Michigan Flight Museum (formerly Yankee Air Museum), based at historic Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan. These rides provide a person with a multi-sensory, immersive experience in the type of World War II aircraft commonly called a Flying Fortress. Michigan Flight Museum (formerly Yankee Air Museum) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. For more information about Michigan Flight Museum: call 734-483-4030 or visit the www.miflightmuseum.org website.
For a 90-second video glimpse into a FLEX Ride aboard our aircraft visit:
Any questions, please read the FAQ's below:
Quick Tips About Your Flight:
- We ask that you arrive about 1 hour BEFORE your scheduled time and please dress appropriately for the weather. It is about 10-15 degrees cooler in the air than on the ground, however, if the aircraft has been sitting in the sun, the temperature inside can become warm.
-Please bring your ticket with you, either digitally or physically, when you arrive for your Air Adventure, along with a valid ID.
-We do not reserve specific seats for any of our aircraft.
- It is advised that you wear close-toed shoes.
- Ear protection is provided, however, you are more than welcome to bring your own.
- The flight offers ample time to move about the aircraft so each passenger can experience different stations during flight. The exception, of course, is that you cannot sit in the pilot or co-pilot seats, we try to keep them in their own seats.
- All sources of digital media are welcome aboard to capture your incredible experience.
- All passengers are required to sign a Release of Liability upon arrival.
- Be advised that there may be some waiting before you board the aircraft, this is normal to ensure a smooth operation.
- In the event the aircraft cannot fly (i.e. weather, mechanical issues, etc.), we will notify you as soon as possible, either via email, phone or both, to reschedule your Air Adventure.
- Michigan Flight Museum (formerly Yankee Air Museum) Members must show their valid membership card or welcome email if purchasing on site.
Air Adventure Restrictions
- The Museum prohibits firearms or other dangerous weapons on Museum property or aircraft including permit holders for concealed weapons.
- Children still using booster seats in a vehicle are too young to fly.
- Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, no exceptions. People aged 16 or older can fly alone.
- Children under the age of 18 need written approval from a parent or guardian. If neither will be in attendance with the child, please call/email to get the waiver ahead of time. 734-252-6457 or [email protected]
- Our aircraft were not designed for standard passenger operations or for those with mobility restrictions, however, we have successfully flown individuals of limited mobility.
- Passengers MUST be able to get in and out of the aircraft on their own volition, or with some MINIMAL amount of assistance to ensure their safety.
- Passengers should also be able to follow basic verbal instructions without assistance.
- Anyone with health concerns or those who are pregnant should always consult their physician before flying.
- Guests under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not permitted on the aircraft.
Refund Policy:
All sales are final for Air Adventure flights. Failure to show for any flight will forfeit the value of the ticket. Air Adventure locations, dates & times are subject to change due to reasons beyond our control. Flights may be cancelled due to, but not limited to: maintenance, weather, and/or other circumstances deemed appropriate solely by Michigan Flight Museum (formerly Yankee Air Museum). All cancelled flights, resulting from any reason from Michigan Flight Museum (formerly Yankee Air Museum), will be re-scheduled at a later date and/or time.
History of B-17 "Yankee Lady"
Our aircraft is a Boeing B-17G-110-VE, USAAF serial number 44-85829. The aircraft was built by the Vega Division of Lockheed Aircraft Corporation at Burbank, California. It was delivered to the USAAF on July 16, 1945. It later made its way to Dallas, TX for modifications, and in September of 1945, was placed in storage at South Plains Field, TX along with other B-17s. Our aircraft did not see combat during World War II. As a late “G” model, the aircraft was delivered with a natural metal finish.
In 1946, it was one of the sixteen Flying Fortresses that were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard where they were redesigned as PB-1Gs. “P” signified Patrol, “B” denoted the design by Boeing, “-1” for the first model type, and the “G” stood for Coast Guard. All of the guns and turrets were removed, and a radar dome was installed in the position formerly occupied by the chin turret. It was used for air-sea rescue missions and iceberg patrol out of Argentia, Newfoundland, Elizabeth, North Carolina, and California. Once the modifications were complete, the aircraft became PB-1G serial number 77255. At one time, it carried a 27-foot, 3,300-pound air-droppable wooden lifeboat under the fuselage for rescuing people stranded at sea. The aircraft retired from U.S.C.G in 1958.
On May 11, 1959, the airplane was sold to Ace Smelting, Inc. for $5,997.93 where it was assigned to civil registration N3193G. In 1966, Aircraft Specialties, Inc. in Mesa, Arizona purchased the aircraft. They used numerous B-17s as air tankers to fight forest fires and apply pesticides to crops and trees. During 1969, it was one of five B-17s flown to Hawaii for the filming of the movie “Tora, Tora, Tora.”
In 1985, Globe Air (the successor company to Aircraft Specialties) auctioned off several aircraft including our B-17. . The Yankee Air Museum purchased the aircraft in June 1986 for $250,000. The Museum flew the B-17G to Michigan from Arizona on July 2, 1986 where it was grounded for nine years.
The Rebuild History
A comprehensive inspection and repair/rebuild program began quickly after the B-17G arrived at the Museum. The Museum’s primary goal was to return the aircraft to safe flying conditions while also restoring her image back to her original design. The initial inspection determined that the turrets and guns were missing, the floors had been lowered and the bulkheads were removed to accommodate the previous owner’s needs. All of which would need to be addressed in the restoration.
The restoration included removing and replacing tail surfaces to address corrosion, recovering all control surfaces with modern fabric, and removing the cargo door and installing the left waist gunner window in its proper place. The crew raised the floor in the radio room to its original position and original radios and operator table were installed.
Two 1,000 gallon retardant tanks were removed and the operational bomb bay doors were installed. The missing bomb racks were rebuilt from scratch and the roof above the bomb bay was taken off in order to repair the structure.
The outer wing panels were removed to replace the corroded aileron attachment channels. The long-range Tokyo auxiliary fuel tanks were removed. Four engines were dismounted and the two outboards were overhauled. All of the hoses were replaced and the electrical wiring was updated.
A Sperry ball turret and a Bendix chin turret were acquired, renovated, and installed in the aircraft. A top turret dome and cheek guns were fitted in the nose compartment. A replacement Cheyenne tail turret was obtained and restored to its World War II configuration.
The Museum painted the aircraft in the markings of a B-17G assigned to the 8th Air Force, 381st Bomb Group flying out of Ridgewell, England. This color scheme is a memorial to the late Joseph Slavik who flew thirty-five missions as a B-17 pilot with the 381st. Mr. Slavik and his brother, Stephen, made significant financial contributions to the Yankee Air Museum which allowed the Museum to acquire the aircraft. The name Yankee Lady and the nose art do not replicate any known combat veteran B-17s, but are meant to represent the era and the Museum.
The restoration of the B-17 Yankee Lady was almost entirely completed by dedicated volunteers. The first post-restoration flight took place on July 13, 1995 and Yankee Lady has been flying ever since!
www.YankeeAirMuseum.org
Where is it happening?
Liberty Aviation Museum, 3515 E State Rd,Port Clinton,OH,United States
