July 27-30 | Chanute Air Museum | All Day (hours below)
Texas Raiders is just one of only nine U.S. remaining flyable B-17 Bombers from World War II and will be joining the collection of vintage aircraft at the Chanute Air Museum in Rantoul, Illinois as it makes a Midwestern tour this summer.

On Friday, July 27th, 2012 this previously awardwinning Flying Fortress will arrive into Rantoul as part of its fourteen day mission through Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Celebrating its fortieth year of preservation flying, this unique aircraft has recently been highlighted in three major aviation magazines highlighting living history: WARBIRDS INTERNATIONAL, FLYPAST MAGAZINE and AOPA MAGAZINE.

To introduce Central Illinois to this vintage aircraft and to support the flying operation of Texas Raiders, the volunteer members of the Gulf Coast Wing will be offering rides and tours at Chanute Air Museum on Saturday July 28, 2012 (9:30am – 5:00pm), Sunday July 29, 2012 (9:30am – 5:00pm) and Monday July 30 (10:00am – 5:00pm). The Museum is located at 1011 Pacesetter Drive, Rantoul, IL 61866.  All donations for tours and rides are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Check out the video of the Texas Raiders here.

Collecting, restoring and flying warbirds for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force ranks as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is dedicated to honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance with a flying museum of classic military aircraft.   A non-profit educational association, the CAF has approximately 9,000 members and a fleet of almost 160 airplanes representing more than 60 different types – including planes from several foreign countries and military conflicts since WWII. For more CAF information, visit  www.commemorativeairforce.org or call (432) 563-1000.   For more information regarding this preservation Tour of Texas Raiders or to reserve a B-17 Ride, call Col Sandy Thompson, Public Information Officer at (817) 341 1541 or send an email to B17Rides@gulfcoastwing.org. 

Enter NOW for a chance to win a free B-17 RIDE on either Saturday or Sunday!