Boeing B-17 'Madras Maiden' bomber coming to Allegheny County Airport

Fresh off the heels of the Westmoreland County Air Show, officials from the Liberty Foundation’s 2018 Salute to Veterans tour will bring a famous World-War-II-era bomber to the Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin.

The “Madras Maiden” Boeing B-17 bomber will be at the airport for public flights and tours Aug. 11 and 12, typically making regular flights between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Flights can be reserved for $450 by calling 918-340-0243.

The B-17, dubbed the “Flying Fortress” as a result of the plane’s defensive firepower, underwent a number of improvements over its 10-year production run, according to Liberty Foundation officials.

B-17 models ranged from the YB-17 to the B-17G model. One of the plane’s most recognizable features is a glass nose in the cockpit.

Throughout the war, the B-17 was refined and improved as the combat experience showed the Boeing designers where improvements could be made. The final B-17 production model, the B-17G, was produced in larger quantities (8,680) than any previous model and is considered the definitive “Flying Fortress.”

During WWII, the B-17 saw service in every theater of operation, but was operated primarily by the 8th Air Force in Europe and participated in countless missions from bases in England.

B-17’s were used in Korea, Israel used them in the war of 1948 and they were even used during Vietnam.

Today, fewer than 100 B-17 airframes exist and fewer still are in airworthy condition, according to the foundation.

For more, see LibertyFoundation.org .

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick at 724-850-2862, pvarine@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MurrysvilleStar.