Thursday, July 17, 2008

DENVER HOSTS RARE WORLD WAR II BOMBER FOR TWO MONTH VISIT

B-25H Mitchell WWII Medium Bomber Comes to Centennial Airport for Display and Rides Through September.

July 16, 2008

DENVER, CO - The sound of history will soon be heard echoing through the Rocky Mountains as an authentic World War II vintage North American B-25H Mitchell arrives in Denver, Colorado on Friday, July 18th for a two-month visit offering local citizens to see living aviation history up-close and personal.

Operated by the non-profit Warbirds Unlimited Foundation of Mesa, AZ, the B-25H named "Barbie III" will be based at Denver Jet Center at Centennial Airport in Denver. The famous medium bomber is fully-restored to 1943 standards and will be available for free viewing on the ground on Saturdays and Sundays through the second week of September and will be offering rides as well.

For those wishing to experience the ultimate trip back in time, the B-25 is available for 30-minute flights around Denver, allowing passengers to fly aboard the aircraft in the same positions our WWII veterans flew in more than 60 years ago. Flights are a $375 donation per person, per flight and up to six people may fly aboard for each flight. 100% of the donation goes into defraying the expense of operating the B-25 and helps pay for maintenance and upkeep of the rare bomber.


Photographer Scott Germain - www.lightandlift.com

The B-25 Mitchell is best known for its role in the famous Doolittle raid on Japan in 1942. The well-known mission where 16 B-25s flew from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet to make the first attack on Japan following the Pearl Harbor attack has been seen in countless movies, books, and articles and was one of the key events of the early days of the war. Throughout WWII, the B-25 played a major role as a medium bomber and ground attack aircraft in both the Pacific and European Theater of operations.

Over 9,800 B-25's were built from 1940 to 1945, but only around 30 remain in flying condition today, flown by private operators and museums. Out of those remaining, our B-25, the "Barbie III", is the last flying H-model of the B-25, noted for the installation of a 75mm cannon in the nose and its configuration as a ground attack aircraft.

The Warbirds Unlimited Foundation invites you to join the B-25H Mitchell "Barbie III" in Denver and become a part of our crew and our family; those who believe that history should come alive and be preserved for generations to come. A symbol of the mighty power of the American Army Air Corps during World War II, the B-25 flies today in honor and remembrance of our WWII veterans of all branches and we are committed to keeping the aircraft alive to preserve their memory for our future generations.

For B-25 flight reservations and information, please call our local coordinator at 800-357-6561 or visit
http://www.warbirdsunlimited.org

The Warbirds Unlimited Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit foundation established in Arizona for the preservation of aircraft honoring veterans from World War II. The foundation is staff by volunteers alone and all donations and fundraising supports the restoration and operation of the aircraft it supports.

Local Information
Location:Centennial Airport (KAPA)Denver Jet Center7625 S. Peoria St.Denver, CO 80112
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from July 19 through September 7.Information / Reservations: 800-357-6561or
http://www.warbirdsunlimited.org

MEDIA: Please contact media coordinator Ryan Keough at rkeough@warbirdsunlimited.org or 480-309-0454. High resolution photos and information available on request.
Media day: Friday, July 18 starting at 9:00 AM. Media flights aboard the B-25 available, please contact Ryan Keough at
rkeough@warbirdsunlimited.org or 480-309-0454 to confirm a space for a representative from your organization.

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