A piece of living history from the World War II era takes to the skies this winter above Florida, and will soon touch down in Lakeland.

"They are very iconic,” said B-17 Pilot Scott Hartwig. “They brought a lot of guys back."

From the era of the Greatest Generation awaits WWII's symbol of freedom.

"What I call the baby Boeing,” said fellow pilot Rex Gray, looking over his shoulder at the massive relic of the 1930s.

"This airplane was best known for its ability to sustain damage and return home,” Scott explained while standing on the tarmac.

At home in Florida is where the B-17 Bomber, known as “Aluminum Overcast” by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), is spending the winter.

The B-17 Bomber, with its four engines, 13 .50-caliber machine guns and turrets, gave this aircraft the nickname of the "Flying Fortress."

"It's kind of spooky, the feelings you get of what it must have been like sitting there," Rex said , thinking back how 20-somethings of the 1930s entered into battle during WWII.

Today, the mission of "Aluminum Overcast” is one of education.

"It's amazing to be out on tour and fly this antique piece of history without being shot at. And hear the stories from the people who actually did fly it,” Rex said proudly.

Rob Stevenson's father flew 20 to 30 missions on the B-17.

"He said, 'Well, I want you to go up, and I'll pay for it,'” Rob said with a grin, hinting at the price tag.

The Flying Fortress is expensive. Each engine takes 35 gallons of oil, while the fuel tank holds 1,700 gallons of fuel. The plane was designed to fly from England to conduct bombing missions over France, Italy and Germany.

"It goes through it [gasoline]… at 160 to 200 gallons an hour."

Therefore, tickets to fly are going to require deep pockets.

Rides start around $450.

More affordable, passes to climb through the B-17 while stationary, walk around the aircraft and sit in the gun turrets sell for $10 per adult. A family of four can climb aboard for a look around for a group price of $20.

Ironically, all branches of the military didn't embrace the B-17 at first.

In 1937, the U.S. Navy fiercely opposed the flying fortress. The Army pressed forward and ordered 39 planes. It was a trend. By 1945, more than 12,700 B-17s rolled off the assembly line. But finding one operating today is rare.

Following WWII and the development of the jet engine, many B-17’s became cargo planes, crop dusters and sold for scrap.

"It's built like a tank!” Rex concluded with a grin.

The EAA B-17 is scheduled to make several stops across Florida in March and April. See more information in the side bar to the right.

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