Miss Liberty Bell

Today I had pulled up right next to a flying museum. The Liberty Bell B-17 G is one of a handful of remaining airworthy B-17s. She wears the markings of the 390th Bomb Group to honor it's restorers father. It is rare to see this particular B-17 this far west because she is based out of Douglas, Georgia.

During WWII the B-17 was our primary heavy bomber. It carried a crew of 10 men into combat, most of these men are younger than I. It was able to carry 8,000 Pounds of bombs on a normal load and deliver its ordinance with an accuracy within a few city blocks.

The heavy bomber today is the B-52, which has a crew of 5, carries 70,000 pounds of ordinance and can place the ordinance precisely into the bathroom windows of multiple targets at the same time.

• History of the Liberty Bell