Famed World War II bomber visiting Lexington, offering tours, rides

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Aviation Museum of Kentucky is hosting a rare World War II bomber on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 16-18, 2021.

The Boeing B-17G Yankee Lady is a four-engine heavy bombardment aircraft, commonly called a Flying Fortress. Contingent upon its flying schedule, the aircraft will be open for ground tours according to the schedule:

The Aviation Museum of Kentucky
4029 Airport Road, at Blue Grass Airport
Lexington, Kentucky 40510
FRIDAY, July 16—10 am until 5 pm.
SATURDAY, July 17—10 am until 5 pm.
SUNDAY, July 18—11 am until 5 pm. SPECIAL admission rates apply during this historic aircraft visit.

Advance purchase of Air Adventure rides on the B-17 is available now.
Rides are scheduled (subject to weather and mechanical issues):
— Friday—July 16—5 pm.
— Saturday—July 17—10am, 11am, and 12 noon.
— Sunday—July 18—11 am and 12 noon.
— More flights will be added as necessary.
An Air Adventure ride is a 30-minute experience and costs $495.00. To order a B-17 Air Adventure, visit www.yankeeairmuseum.org and click on “Fly with Us”.

If a ride in the wonderful airplane is desired, contact the Yankee Museum directly and purchase a ticket. Yankee Air Force, Inc., 47884 D St., Belleville, MI 48111-1126, 734-483-4030. https://yankeeairmuseum.org/fly/#b17

The Flying Fortress is recognized as one of the most famous planes every built. First flown in July 1935, production for World War II included several manufacturers. More than 12,700 had been built when the last B-17 was assembled in May 1945.

The B-17 was one of several strategic bombers flown by World War II airmen of the United States. Its four engines had nine cylinders each, and each produced 1,200 hp.

One bomber cost $276,000.