World War II birds bound for Offutt Published Aug. 24, 2009 By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Airpower delivered a rain of fire and destruction during World War II. A few years later, airpower was on display again with the Berlin Airlift. The 15-month long humanitarian operation brought more than two million tons of supplies into the German capital saving the city's residents. Three planes that are famous for achievements during WWII and the Berlin Airlift are Offutt bound. The B-17, B-25 and C-47 are all scheduled to be on display during Offutt's 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show Aug. 29 - 30. The B-17, also known as the "Flying Fortress," is one of the most famous airplanes used during WWII. The aircraft is best known for daylight strategic bombing of German industrial targets. The B-17E, the first mass-produced Flying Fortress model, carried nine machine guns and a 4,000-pound bomb load. In the Pacific theater, the B-17 earned a deadly reputation with the Japanese, who dubbed them four-engine fighters. Norm Ellickson, a B-17 flight engineer and crew chief, said he's looking forward to sharing the history of the Flying Fortress with Team Offutt. "The B-17 was a major part of WWII, and on a good day as many as 1,000 flew missions over Germany," Mr. Ellickson said. Without the B-17, and the men that manned them, the United States and its Allies may have lost the war, Mr. Ellickson added. Nearly 13,000 B-17s were built during World War II. According to Case Studies in Strategic Bombing, by R. Cargill Hall, the B-17 was utilized in many of the 501,536 bomber sorties flown during the war. Team Offutt will see one of only 12 B-17s left flying in the world. Mr. Ellickson and his crew spent the past nine years restoring the aircraft to 98 percent of its original condition. Mr. Ellickson said the plane will show people how young men weathered combat conditions and how far military aviation has come within the last 70 years. Another bomber scheduled to make an appearance during Offutt's open house is the B-25, also known as the Mitchell medium bomber. The B-25, named after Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell, an early pioneer of airpower, is the only military aircraft named after a person. During WWII, the B-25 was flown by the Dutch, Chinese, Russians and Australians along with U.S. pilots. The plane was originally built for level bombing from medium altitudes however Mitchell's bomber was used extensively in the Pacific theater of operations for bombing Japanese airfields from treetop level. The B-25 was also used to skip bomb enemy shipping. David Wheaton, a retired financial officer from Salt Lake City has been flying the B-25 for the past nine years. The aircraft he'll bring to the air show is one of the few individually owned and piloted B-25s left in the world. "The B-25 was made famous during the daring Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, which took place four months after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor," Mr. Wheaton said. On April 18, 1942, 16 Mitchell bombers were launched from the U.S.S. Hornet to attack Tokyo. Although most of the damage inflicted by the bombers was light, the mission was deemed a success because it caused the Japanese to return numerous aircraft to their home islands to defend against an American invasion. The Doolittle Raid also helped boost American morale and was the longest combat flight in the B-25's history. During the raid, eight Airmen were captured; of those three were executed. Mr. Wheaton's B-25 serves to honor the memory of those Airmen. "I keep this airplane flying out of my own pocket as a memorial to the great American spirit that helped design, build and crew these great birds," Mr. Wheaton said. The story of those who served during WWII is an important one, Mr. Wheaton continued. "It serves to remind current generations of the sacrifices (Americans) made and hostilities they endured to protect freedoms many take for granted today." "Those who serve and have served in our military understand this and continue this great spirit," Mr. Wheaton added. The C-47, another aircraft that earned its reputation during WWII, will soon be on display at Offutt. The first C-47s were ordered in 1940, and by the end of WWII, more than 9,000 had been procured by the U.S. Army Air Forces. The plane was used primarily to carry personnel and cargo. Shortly after WWII, the C-47 was a large part of the Berlin Airlift. It helped sustain more than two million people and save Germany's capital. The C-47 also had an impact during the Korean War as the plane once again transported servicemembers in to and out of combat. In Vietnam, the C-47 served as more than a military transport as it also performed as a gunship and reconnaissance gatherer. Thanks to retired Maj. Jim Terry, a pilot for the past 34 years, the C-47 will be a part of Offutt's open house. This plane is one of the icons of WWII, Major Terry said. "It represents the best America had 65 years ago," Major Terry added. "Our young men fought and died by the thousands in aircraft like the C-47 and we honor them by remembering, by keeping this plane flying." "Our mission is to return the plane to the men and families of those that fought and flew in WWII," Major Terry said. "We accomplish that by flying at air shows across the country." The major asks all WWII veterans who attend the 2009 Defenders of Freedom open house and air show to sign the plane as a memorial to honor them. During the show, the B-17, B-25 and C-47 will all be available for pictures and tours. For more information about Offutt's open house and air show, visit www.offuttairshow.com.