Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Photos
Briana Bierschbach and Evan Frost
St. Paul

Photos: Flying Fortress takes Minn. WWII vets on the ride of a lifetime

Rain comes down on a B-17G Flying Fortress, front, and a B-25 Mitchell.
Rain comes down on a B-17G Flying Fortress, front, and a B-25 Mitchell at Holman Field at the St. Paul Downtown Airport Thursday. The B-17G has a gross weight of 65,500 pounds when fully loaded.
Evan Frost | MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

The B-17 Flying Fortress was developed by Boeing in the 1930s for the U.S. Army Air Corps, a precursor to the U.S. Air Force, but it became critical in strategic bombings against Nazi Germany during World War II.

On the Fourth of July, the Minnesota chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association offered veterans free flights on a B-17 called the Aluminum Overcast: A 74-foot, 34,000-pound plane that has a 1,200-horsepower engine and a cruising speed of 170 mph.

Andy Anderson, 95, a World War II Army veteran, was among the handful of veterans who took flight over St. Paul. He spent the war building runways for military planes — and Thursday, he flew in one for the first time.

Gallery
13 of 13
The wing and engines of a B-17G Flying Fortress are reflected on the runway
The wing and engines of a B-17G Flying Fortress are reflected on the runway at Holman Field Thursday. The Aluminum Overcast is owned by the Experimental Aircraft Association and is kept in Oshkosh, Wis., but travels to airshows around the country.
Evan Frost | MPR News
1 of 13
Rain comes down on a B-17G Flying Fortress, front, and a B-25 Mitchell.
Rain comes down on a B-17G Flying Fortress, front, and a B-25 Mitchell at Holman Field at the St. Paul Downtown Airport Thursday. The B-17G has a gross weight of 65,500 pounds when fully loaded.
Evan Frost | MPR News
2 of 13
Crew Chief Hank Morrissey inspects a B-17G Flying Fortress' engine,
Crew Chief Hank Morrissey inspects one of the Flying Fortress's engines between flights at Holman Field in St. Paul Thursday.
Evan Frost | MPR News