The United States built over 12,700 B-17’s and only five remain actively flying in the world today. The iconic bomber Texas Raiders was the first Flying Fortress to be operated solely for the sake of education and use as a flying museum.  She is an accurately restored B-17, bristling with machine guns and featuring period-specific equipment.   Joining the bomber in Birmingham will be three other vintage aircraft including the popular T6 Texan advanced trainer in which thousands of U.S. airmen learned to fly, and a twin engine Navy transport in which the whole family can fly together. 

The event is being hosted by the Southern Museum of Flight and will run through Sunday afternoon. Click here for the museum website. 

The public is invited to enjoy on-board tours with the aircraft crews, or to take the ultimate Living History Flight Experience and see the Birmingham from the sky! A limited number of flights are available on the warbirds. Flights on the B-17 start at $475; flights on the T6 are $380, seats on the Navy transport are only $100. Ground tours will be conducted from 1 PM to 4 PM Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, and 10 AM to 4 PM Sunday, excluding flying times. Admission to the event is $15/adult, $10 for children under 12, and $25 for a family of up to 5 and includes admission to the museum as well. Those who wish to fly can call 855-FLY-A-B17 (1-855-359-2217) or reserve on line at B17TexasRaiders.org  or see more on Facebook.com/B17TexasRaiders


Don’t miss this must-do summer event! Put your hands on history and see historic American military aviation up close. 

In an effort to provide the safest possible environment for crews and attendees, extra sanitization procedures will be in place, as well as social distancing. Face coverings are required for aircraft access. If you plan to take a tour, please bring your own mask/covering. 

Ride the C-45/Twin Beech "Little Raider"

 

Experience the magic in the sky with a flight on the Commemorative Air Force twin engine Beech 18.  Painted in Navy colors and sporting an Admiral’s stars, the Twin Beech seats four passengers in cozy comfort as she lifts into the sky.  You can fly the whole family over Birmingham.  Children age five and over are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Each flight is approximately 20 minutes in the air, and includes a safety briefing and photo opportunity with the pilot. Seats in the cabin are $100 each. Book the whole airplane: $400. NOTE: 3 seats must be sold for the flight to go To purchase a ride call 1-855-FLY-A-B17 (1-855-359-2217) or reserve on line at www.B17TexasRaiders.org or use the form below


Ride the T6/SNJ trainer "Sassy" 


 The AT6 Texan/SNJ was the final rung of the training ladder for combat fighter pilots in WWII. After months of work in trainers with less power and lower performance, those that cut the mustard were moved on to the Advanced Trainer 6 Texan (or SNJ if you were a Navy pilot) - their final hurdle. Come take a ride in the plane that taught our heroic pilots how to fly combat maneuvers in a fast and powerful plane that launched them to the next step - P-47's, P-38's, Corsairs, and P-51's  - the combat fighters that helped win the war. Rides are about 25 minutes in the air and include a safety briefing and photo op with the pilot. 

The video below shows you how to board the T6/SNJ