Oregon Public Broadcasting

Liberty Belle Audio Slideshow

Known as "Flying Fortresses" due to their impressive defensive fire power, B-17's flew thousands of missions over Europe during World War II.

In fact, close to 13,000 B-17's were built between 1935 and 1945.  More than half of those planes were destroyed in combat and training missions.  Only fourteen B-17's remain today, with only a half dozen still able to fly.

One of those B-17's is in Oregon this week.

The "Liberty Belle" was built in 1945 just as World War II was coming to an end.  It spent 22 years in private service, then spent 35 years in a museum before being restored to her WWII glory over a period of ten years at a cost of $5 million.

OPB's Pete Springer took a flight with "Liberty Belle" pilot Chris Tuckfield and produced this audio slideshow. 

The Liberty Belle will be at the Tillamook Air Museum until Friday, then at the Hillsboro Airport Saturday and Sunday.  Tours and flights are available.  Check the Liberty Foundation website for details.