If You Happened to See Something Flying Around The Valley

With our amazing weather this weekend, many of us were outside working in our yards or enjoying our favorite parts of the Valley.  Did you happen to look up and this plane flying around?

It's a B-17 bomber, and it's a classic from the World War II era.  For airplane enthusiasts and especially those veterans who served on them, the chance to see this plane up close  was a special treat this weekend.

While there were more than 12,000 originally built, they are extremely rare today.  In fact, there are only 11 that are flying around the world, and only 9 in the United States.  This particular plane, nicknamed the "Madras Maiden" was at the Jackson Jet Center at Gowen Field.

There were rides offered for $450, and the tour of the plane was free (with donations accepted).  The cost to operate the plane is around $5000 per hour.

The Liberty Foundation brought the plane to town is working on further restorations.