Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Advertisement
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Advertise With Us
    • Home
      • COVID-19 Resource Center
        • Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ PSA Radio
      • Featured
    • News
      • State
      • Local
      • National/International News
      • Global
      • Business
        • Commentary
        • Finance
        • Local Business
      • Investigative Stories
        • Affordable Housing
        • DCS Investigation
        • Gentrification
    • Editorial
      • National Politics
      • Local News
      • Local Editorial
      • Political Editorial
      • Editorial Cartoons
      • Cycle of Shame
    • Community
      • History
      • Tennessee
        • Chattanooga
        • Clarksville
        • Knoxville
        • Memphis
      • Public Notices
      • Women
        • Let’s Talk with Ms. June
    • Education
      • College
        • American Baptist College
        • Belmont University
        • Fisk
        • HBCU
        • Meharry
        • MTSU
        • University of Tennessee
        • TSU
        • Vanderbilt
      • Elementary
      • High School
    • Lifestyle
      • Art
      • Auto
      • Tribune Travel
      • Entertainment
        • 5 Questions With
        • Books
        • Events
        • Film Review
        • Local Entertainment
      • Family
      • Food
        • Drinks
      • Health & Wellness
      • Home & Garden
      • Featured Books
    • Religion
      • National Religion
      • Local Religion
      • Obituaries
        • National Obituaries
        • Local Obituaries
      • Faith Commentary
    • Sports
      • MLB
        • Sounds
      • NBA
      • NCAA
      • NFL
        • Predators
        • Titans
      • NHL
      • Other Sports
      • Golf
      • Professional Sports
      • Sports Commentary
      • Metro Sports
    • Media
      • Video
      • Photo Galleries
      • Take 10
      • Trending With The Tribune
    • Classified
    • Obituaries
      • Local Obituaries
      • National Obituaries
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Tennessee

    The B-17 ‘Flying Fortress’ Bomber Visited Smyrna

    Clare BrattenBy Clare BrattenOctober 19, 2017No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Pinterest Tumblr Reddit Email
    The World War II era B-17 bomber known as “The Flying Fortress” visited the Smyrna airfield last Saturday.
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    Advertisement

    By Clare Bratten

    SMYRNA, TN — A tour of the B-17 “Flying Fortress” bomber plane that played an important role in the World War II air battles in over Nazi Germany landed at the Smyrna airport for tours last weekend. The public was invited to come see the airplane and inspect the interior at no charge until sunset.

    More fearless folk who had $450 to contribute to the (tax deductible) maintenance of the flying museum took a ride in the Flying Fortress earlier in the day. During the flight, riders experienced what it was like to operate various gunner positions in a moving B-17 bomber as a skilled pilot took them on a tour of the area.

    Named the “Madras Maiden” after the town of Madras in Oregon where it was constructed, the B-17 is one of few B-17s that still fly today. This particular B-17, along with several others such as the Memphis Belle, operates as a flying museum and memorial to the sacrifices of the airmen who flew dangerous missions in World War II. The plane was acquired by The Liberty Foundation after its military career as a research and development aircraft from 1944-1959.

    Bob Hill, pilot of many of the B-17 tours for The Liberty Foundation has flown 1,400 hours on the massive plane.

    “I would like to think we inspire someone to do something like learn more about the history of World War II and the sacrifices the “the Greatest Generation” accomplished for our freedom,” Hill said.

    “Or perhaps someone will want to become a pilot or aircraft maintenance engineer,” Hill said.

    “A bomber crew member in WWII had only a 23% chance of survival.  Each crew member had to go on 25 missions (which later increased to 30, then 35 missions). You were flying in a craft that was unpressurized, with no air conditioning or heat.  So it might be 40 degrees below zero with your mask frozen to your face, or as hot as an oven.  You had to deal with flak from attacking planes.  The B-17s flew in formation at a relatively slow speed of 150 mph so they were big targets,” Hill said.

    The Tuskegee airmen based out of North Africa were assigned as escorts for the 8th Airforce B-17 raids and other bombing raids over Nazi Germany. According to historical sources, bombing missions defended by the Tuskegee Airmen never lost a bomber.

    Persons who become Liberty Foundation members (for $40) pay only $410 for future B-17 flights and the flights of family members.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Clare Bratten

    Related Posts

    New Federal Law Updates SNAP Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) in Tennessee

    September 22, 2025

    Justice Bivins Elected to Serve as Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court

    September 14, 2025

    Eight Tennessee Residents Convicted of TennCare Fraud

    September 9, 2025

    Abrego Garcia leaves Tennessee jail, heads to Maryland as ICE weighs next steps

    August 23, 2025

    xAI in Memphis: Where pollution meets profit

    August 22, 2025

    State’s new anti-DEI law ends minority business programs in Memphis

    August 16, 2025
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Advertisement
    Business

    Black-owned Jam Vino showcases wine-infused jam at GBK’s pre-Emmys gifting lounge, sets Walmart retail debut

    September 20, 2025

    Own an online plant based dispensary

    September 18, 2025

    Hoplophobes Say The Strangest Things

    September 18, 2025
    1 2 3 … 388 Next
    Education
    HBCU

    Another Request for HBCUs Security

    By April RyanSeptember 18, 2025

    BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — In the wake of the credible threats against nine HBCUs on Thursday,…

    Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Campout Inspires Next Generation at Montgomery Bell

    September 18, 2025

    Federal Cuts Strip $350 Million From HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions

    September 15, 2025

    Tractor Supply Raises More Than $1 Million to Support FFA Students in Pursuing Postsecondary Studies

    September 9, 2025
    The Tennessee Tribune
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Store
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    © 2025 The Tennessee Tribune - Site Designed by No Regret Media.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Our Spring Sale Has Started

    You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/