By Khang Nguyen

Sentimental Journey, a big hit at Air Show

Jul 15, 2015 | 6:29 AM

Walking into the AirFair it’s hard to miss the enormous Boeing B-17 G sitting on the tarmac.

A large line-up of children and adults quickly formed to get a peek inside the 27-meter wide plane.

For Jeremy Mercredi, it was a pleasant surprise to see the historic heavy bomber.

 “I heard there was an airshow but I didn’t know they had this,” said Mercredi. “I kind of know Second World War planes and I knew exactly what this was when I got here.”

Sentimental Journey was built in 1944 – one of 12,731 Boeing B-17’s built between 1935 and 1945 and only one of eight believed to still be in existence. It is able to carry up to 8000 pounds of bombs and weighs up to 63,000 pounds once fully loaded.

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“I was thinking about how terrifying it would be in there. A metal box flying over where people wanted to shoot you,” Mercredi said.

While part of the Army Air Core, Sentimental Journey never flew during the Second World War.

“It was in the Pacific doing photo reconnaissance up to the end of the war which is why it is in such good shape and is still here,” Crew Chief Russ Kozimor said.

The aircraft was used as an air-sea rescue aircraft and as a water bomber before being purchased by Commemorative Air Force in Mesa, Arizona 13 years ago.

The aircraft has been restored up to 95 per cent of what it was in 1945 with full top turrets, recreated bomb bays and waist gunner sections, said Kozimor.

“The real story is when you go on tour and you meet the families of the veterans or people who love the old airplanes,” said Kozimor. “We’ve met people you read about in the history books – it’s a nice little extra thing to meet these guys.”

One of those guys is Paul Arcand of ANAVETS who was invited for a special ride on Monday.

Arcand served with Second Battalion Princess Patricia of Flight Infantry, and spent years overseas with NATO.

“It’s beautiful. I sure was surprised when they called me the other day and asked me to represent the ANAVETS. I thought it was pretty nice,” said Arcand.

Commemorative Air Force Load Master Mike Muller says it’s important for the Sentimental Journey to visit Canada.

“There is a lot of history in Canada and the Second World War. It’s to honour veterans and keep alive the memories of what they did in the Second World War and the sacrifices that they made.”

Sentimental Journey is open for rides throughout the AirFair. $450 for a radio room/waist gunner seat and $850 for a bombardier seat.

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, July 14:

Gates open at 1 p.m.
– Static displays available for viewing 
– B17g and B25j will be available for tours and rides 
– Stefan Trischuk will be performing aerobatic demonstration in the late afternoon (time TBD) 
Gates close at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 15:

Gates open at 1 p.m.
– Static displays available for viewing 
– B17g and B25j will be available for tours 
-Snowbird / CF-18 Demonstration team perform 6 p.m.
– Gates close at completion of Snowbird / CF-18 show

Thursday, July 16:

Gates open at 1 p.m.
– Static displays available for viewing 
– B17g and B25j will be available for tours and rides 
– Stefan Trischuk will be performing aerobatic demonstration in the late afternoon (time TBD) 
Gates close at 7:30 p.m.

With files from Alex Soloducha.

knguyen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @khangvnguyen