FISHERS, Ind. — If you have a child that’s a history buff, a great way to kick off their summer vacation may be to take them on a ride on an authentic B-17 Flying Fortress.
The “Madras Maiden” is back in town. The Liberty Foundation will be giving rides to people on the WWII bomber Saturday and Sunday at Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport in Fishers.
93-year-old WWII veteran James Hutchinson was 19-years-old when he was a radio operator on the Madras Maiden during the war. He says it’s important that the plane go from town-to-town throughout the United States.
“You’re honoring the plane, but you should be honoring the men,” said Hutchinson. “The world is so full of computers and mostly (young people) sit and look and computers. And I try to tell them there was another world out there and the only reason you are able to sit and enjoy your life is because of us.”
Hutchinson has compiled and published hundreds of short stories written by fellow soldiers who flew bombing missions over Europe in WWII. He says a perfect way to get that message across is by having the plane he flew 20 bombing missions on give you a ride to show you what it was like aboard the bomber.
The Liberty Foundation is offering rides to anyone, but you will have to be able to dip into your wallet. The cost per person for a ride aboard the bomber is $450 for a 45 minute ride. The foundation says all the money made from the rides goes right back into keeping the plane operational.
You can get more information and even donate to keep the plane flying at www.libertyfoundation.org.
(PHOTO: Kurt Darling/WIBC)
