The B-17 has made its way to the Lethbridge Airport as part of the Flying Legends of Victory Tour. (PHOTO: Airbase Arizona Commemorative Air Force)

By Sarah Jones

Iconic World War II planes make pit stop in Lethbridge

Jul 6, 2023 | 8:54 AM

hLETHBRIDGE, AB – A piece of history has landed at the Lethbridge Airport.

The Airbase Arizona Aircraft Museum has taken two of its most iconic World War Two planes on tour across North America this summer.

It’s the first time that The Flying Legends of Victory Tour has been in Canada since 2019, and the volunteer troupe has made a pit stop right here in Southern Alberta.

Mike Mueller, Rides Director with the Airbase Arizona Aircraft Museum said, “We’re all thrilled to be in Canada again. I don’t think we’ve been to Lethbridge for at least six or seven years.”

“You know, the Canadians have always been very welcoming to us,” explained Muller. “The people come out and see the airplanes, which is what we want. Our whole purpose is to keep alive the history of these aircrafts and the men and women that built them and flew them.”

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This year, the US-based museum has sent out the B-25 Mitchell ‘Maid in the Shade,’ and B-17 Flying Fortress ‘Sentimental Journey’ as part of the Flying Legends of Victory Tour.

The collection of historical military bombers welcomes people to get an up-close and personal look at some of the warbirds through their ground tours or take a flight on one of the famous bombers.

According to Mueller, to operate the B-17, it costs upwards of $3,600 an hour to fly with insurance and fuel, which is why tickets to take a ride are on the pricier side as all the funds collected go towards keeping the planes up in the air.

“The planes get continuous maintenance, they probably get a lot more love than your average airliner,” laughed Mueller.

B-25 Mitchell ‘Maid in the Shade’. (PHOTO: Airbase Arizona Commemorative Air Force)

Mueller went on to share that more than 100 volunteers help maintain the aircrafts throughout the year ranging from licensed mechanics and pilots, although the tour typically travels with a crew of eight people from location to location.

While the B-17 arrived in Lethbridge on Monday, July 3, 2023, and is already open for tours on the ground and in the air, the B-25 isn’t set to fly in until July 6.

From Friday, Saturday and Sunday, both planes will be open for tours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Lethbridge Airport.

After Lethbridge, the tour flies to Cranbrook, Penticton and Victoria, before heading back to the states.

For more information on how to book a flight, ground tour tickets and an in-depth look at the planes go to the Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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