Sentimental Journey B-17 Flying Fortress Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing
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Sentimental Journey B-17 Flying Fortress Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing web: www.azcaf.org email: [email protected] Phone (480) 268-2156 Fax(480) 981-1954 Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Museum 2017 N. Greenfield Road • Mesa, Arizona 85215 “Sentimental Journey” “Sentimental Journey” came off the Douglas assembly line in late 1944 and served in the Pacific. After the war, it was transferred to Eglin Field Florida for service as an air-sea rescue craft and in 1959 went to military storage at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. It was then sold to a California corporation for service as a borate bomber, flying thousands of sorties against forest fires throughout the country. In January 1978, at the formation of the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, the announcement was made of the donation of B-17G #N9323Z to the Commemorative Air Force for assignment to the Arizona Wing. It was then disassembled, and painstakingly restored to original World War II configuration. “Sentimental Journey” is displayed from late Fall to Spring each year at our hangar before it leaves on summer tour. The plane now visits an average of 60 cities and towns across the United States each year as a patriotic and educational exhibit. Specifications B-17G “Sentimental Journey” Facts Wing Span ................103 ft. 9 3/8 inches Based at..............................Falcon Field in Mesa Arizona Length ......................74 ft. 3.9 inches Owned by............................Commemorative Air Force Height ......................19 ft. 2.44 inches Total number of Powerplant................Wright R- 1820-97 Cyclone B-17's built ........................12,731 ..................................1,200 hp at takeoff B-17's still in existence ......Approximately 50 Empty Weight ..........36,134 Sentimental Journey built ..November 1944 Gross Weight ............65,000 lbs. Yearly flight time ................Roughly 150 hours Cruising Speed..........160 mph Operational cost...................$3,000 per hour Top Speed ................302 mph Annual tour stops ..............Average 60 cities Ceiling ......................36,400 feet Movies and TV....................All The Fine Young Men, Range........................3750 mile ............................................1941, Wings, Fuel capacity ............2,780 gallons ............................................History Channel Fuel consumption ....200 gallons per hour Aircraft markings ................457th Bomb Group based in ............................................Glatton England during Oil capacity ..............37 gallons per engine ............................................World War II with the Crew..........................10 ............................................Eighth Air Force Bomb Load ..............8000 lbs. Nose Art..............................Betty Grable Armament ................13 x .50 caliber machine guns The Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum displays and flies a variety of aircraft from WWI - Vietnam, including the most full restored B-17 flying today B-17G Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey, B-25, C-45, SNJ, F4 Phantom, Migs 15 & 21 and other warbirds. Experience a flight back in time by taking a ride in the B-17, SNJ or C-45. Memorabilia displayed and visit the aviation gift shop. Museum is available for events. web: www.azcaf.org email: [email protected] Phone (480) 268-2156 Fax(480) 981-1954 Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Museum 2017 N. Greenfield Road • Mesa, Arizona 85215.