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Tue, Dec 14, 2004

B-17 Liberty Belle Finally Takes Flight

Don Brooks' Tribute To WWII Aviators

The 13th B-17 still flying anywhere in the world finally took to the skies after a 14-year restoration in Kissimmee, FL, last week.

The B-17G, "Liberty Belle" is Don Brooks' tribute to all the men who flew in WWII inspired by his father's contributions in the 8th Air Force during the war. Warbird Adventures' pilots Thom Richard and Chuck Gardner were on hand in the air waiting to capture Liberty Belle's first attempts at flight on December 7th.

Electrical issues prevented the B-17 taking off that day but the aircraft successfully flew on Wednesday the 8th, accompanied by Syd Jones (conservator for Tom Reilly on the B-17 project) in his T-6 and Thom Richard in Warbird Adventure's SNJ.

Liberty Belle is scheduled to fly again out of the former Warbird Museum later in December on another test flight.

FMI: www.fantasyofflight.com

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