The Vanderhoof Masters of the Air Exhibition takes place this weekend and will feature just one of the world’s only three remaining flying B17 Flying Fortresses.
The behemoth aircraft was built at the end of World War II in 1944 and never saw combat.
It is now a part of the Erickson Collection in Oregon and has been flown up to Northern BC for the weekend.
Glenn Pearce, a retired Air Canada 777 Captain from Vanderhoof, has the privilege of flying the B17.
“[Flying it] is like a dream come true,” he said. “I have always been involved in general aviation, always had airplanes on the side – some of them ex-military… it is quite a privilege to be able to fly this.”
According to Pearce, 12,731 flying fortresses were built during the Second World War.
By his estimate, buying one now would cost between $25 and $30 million.
The plane has four 1820 9-cylinder engines, Pearce said each one holds 37 gallons of oil and is connected to a 425-gallon fuel tank.
“On takeoff, the engine burns roughly 450 gallons an hour and down to 200-250 [an hour] while cruising,” he said. “It is an expensive airplane to fly around.”
While this B17 never saw combat, it is named after one that did – “Ye Olde Pub.” You can read the story of Ye Olde Pub here.
The B17 is certainly the crown jewel of the exhibition, but not the only attraction.
Anyone who attends will also have the chance to check out a North American P-51D Mustang, a Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk, and more.
Attendees can also take their experience to the next level, flights in the B17 and Kittyhawk can be booked through the Erickson Collection website.
The Masters of the Air Exhibition will run from 10:00 to 4:00 on Saturday (August 3) at the Vanderhoof airport.
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