History Takes Flight This Week at Planes of Fame

• "Hangar Talk" & P-51D Mustang "Flying Demo" on Saturday (May 14)
• Rides Available in a B-17G and B-25J Friday (May 13) thru Sunday (May 15)
• Tours of the B-17 & B-25 Included with Museum Admission (May 12 thru May 15)

Planes of Fame Air Museum and the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), Arizona Wing, have an incredible "step back in time" experience for everyone this week at the Museum.  The CAF is bringing both their B-17G Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey" and their B-25J Mitchell "Maid in the Shade" to Planes of Fame and offering rides and tours throughout their visit. 

From Thursday, May 12 through Sunday, May 15, 2022, 10:00am to 6:00pm daily (except Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm), (hours subject to change). Regular Museum admission prices are in effect.

Your admission to the Museum gets you a tour of these two incredible aircraft. Beginning Thursday, May 12th and continuing daily until Sunday, May 15th, guests to the Museum will have the opportunity to walk thru and tour both of of the CAF's visiting bomber aircraft.  Tours will begin in the afternoon (following flights) and the aircraft (and the Museum) will remain open each day until 6:00pm.

To book a flight in one or both of these aircraft, click this red button: 

Learn more about both of these aircraft by clicking on these following links:  B-17 Sentimental Journey and B-25 Maid in the Shade

Hangar Talk:

• Saturday, May 14th is when the fun really kicks into gear. Our May edition of "Hangar Talk" will begin at 10:30am (the Museum opens at 9:00am on Saturday).  Topics include the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, a look at the Norden Bombsight and the role of the Bombardier during World War II, and a special TED Talk about the dedication and courage that led to aerial fire-bombers.

• At 12:15pm we'll begin the "Flying Demo" featuring the P-51D "Mustang" in a dazzling aerial display over the Museum.  Among its many roles during World War II, this fast escort fighter provided aerial protection to the bombers during that conflict.

• Special Engine Start & Taxi. You won't want to miss the orchestrated engine start and taxi we've got planned.  First, the Mustang will fire up its powerful 1,400-horsepower Merlin engine and taxi away directly in front of the audience. Then, all four of the radial engines of the B-17 will power-up and it will taxi by.  A short time later, it will be the B-25's turn as it will power-up both of its Wright Twin-Cyclone radial engines and taxi away for its flight.

• The P-51 will fly over the Museum for approximately 20 minutes, performing a number of passes and turns.  The B-17 and B-25 will each make a single pass over the Museum.

• Following the Mustang's flight, guests can participate in a question and answer session with pilot Tom Nightingale to find out what flying one of these restored warbirds is really like.

• On-site food service includes Coffee and Smoothies, Mexican food, and a fabulous dessert truck.  Or, visitors can opt to visit Flo's Airport Cafe (your admission sticker to the Museum will get you 10% off your bill at Flo's) and then return to the Museum.

• The Museum's B-17G will be open for tours. Museum Guides will be on-site as well as Re-enactors (Living Historians in period military dress).  We will also be conducting our 'members only' raffle ride in the Museum's North American AT-6D/SNJ-5 'Texan'.