A rare B-17 bomber flew into Lakeland Linder Regional Airport Monday. It’s in town for the annual Sun ‘n Fun Fly In.
The plane is owned and operated by an organization called the Commemorative Air Force. The group keeps the B-17 and other vintage war birds in the air as a way of preserving history.
"Fighter planes make movies. Bombers make history,” said crew member Kevin Michels.
More than 12,000 B-17s were produced to fight in World War II. Only nine of the planes still fly today.
"Words can't explain how much fun it is to actually get to go out and fly it around,” said pilot Len Root.
Root said it costs about $4,000 for every hour of flight time when you take into account fuel and maintenance. It would be even more if you counted all of the volunteer time of the crew.
Rides on the plane can be pretty expensive. Some of the people willing to pay the price are vets.
"But when you get to speak to the veterans when we take the veterans for a ride it's just amazing. The stories you get to hear,” said Root.
Tours of the plane are $10 for adults and $5 for children.