So, I’ve gotten carried away working on some exciting new things in the last couple of days and I neglected to actually complete the posts I’ve been working on. The good news is that I will have some new things to announce soon. Anyway, what I’ve got for you today is a very interesting video of some of the Commemorative Air Force’s aircraft flying in Arizona. If you are a routine reader of the Warbird Island Forum on the EAA’s Oshkosh365 site then you may have seen this video, but it is something worth watching again. I recommend that you watch this in full-screen HD on the biggest display available. It’s two minutes and forty four seconds of heaven.
H5 – WWII Bombers over Arizona Landscape from H5 Productions on Vimeo.
A little about the video
This video was shot by Hangar 5 Productions using one of their awesome aerial rigs based on the Eurocopter AS350 B2. The B-17 and the B-25 are out of the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. The video was shot in Arizona around the Superstition Mountains and Saguaro Lake. All I know is that it looks like fun for everyone involved.
A little about the B-17
The B-17 in the video is Sentimental Journey, which the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force operates out of Falcon Field in Mesa, AZ. It is a B-17G model produced in 1944. It was stationed in the Pacific during WWII and was later used as mother-ship in drone testing of nuclear weapons before being retired from military service. It is now civilian registered as N-9323Z and has been with the AZ Wing of the CAF since 1978. Should you find yourself in Arizona with five other people, rides are available for $425 a person.
A little about the B-25
The B-25 in the video is Maid in the Shade, which is also operated out of Falcon Field by the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. It is a B-25J model twin-engine bomber also produced in 1944 and stationed in the Mediterranean during WWII. According the AZ Wing, Maid in the Shade was assigned battle number 18 by the 437th Squadron of the 57th Bomb Wing’s 319th Bomb Group. It flew 15 bombing missions in Italy out of Serraggia Airbase in Corsica. After a long and hard road, the AZ Wing has returned this plane to flying status and for $395 you can buy a ride in it.