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LOGAN — Two of the most iconic warplanes from World War II landed in Logan on Monday and will be on display at the Logan Airport through Sunday. Aviation buffs can get a look at the planes on the ground or even book a flight this weekend.
The B-17 Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey" and B-25 Mitchell "Maid in the Shade" will be on display each afternoon, starting at 2 p.m.
"We're here to commemorate history, and to say thank you, in a way, for these people who gave so much for us," said Mike Shepherd, with the Volunteer Commemorative Air Force.
The warbirds draw in the visitors so the pilots can share their history.
The B-17 Bomber is a heavy bomber loaded with armaments and a 10-man crew.
"Most pilots — bomber pilots — this would be their airplane of choice," Shepherd said.
The warplane earned a deadly reputation and was legendary for its ability to come home after taking brutal poundings.
"It's a long-range, high-altitude bomber," Shepherd said. "Its job was to get high enough above the flak and above the enemy, into wherever the targets were, then come in, drop the bombs, and get up and get out."
The B-25 was used mainly as a low-altitude strafe bomber.
"That airplane is a real combat veteran," Shepherd said, pointing to the B-25. "It was in Corsica during the second world war and did bombing missions up and down Yugoslavia and Italy, taking out railroads and bridges."
Nearly 10,000 B-25s were produced, and "Maid in the Shade" is one of 34 still flying today. She has several patches from flak taken in battle.
"Here's one. There's one. There's one," Shepherd said, as he pointed out the metal patches. "Flak, remember the flak comes up from the ground."
This B-25 flew 15 missions — better than the average survival rate for this bomber, which was 11 missions.
The planes are in Logan as part of the "Flying Legends of Victory Tour," which will visit 50 cities before wrapping up this fall.
"I've had folks that feel very connected through, maybe a relative that has been dead for a number of years, through their connection through the old airplane."
Click here for details on ground tours and flight reservations.
