Action News Now anchor Margot Rowe reports on the final day of the “Flying Legends of Victory Tour” at the Chico Air Museum and Chico Regional Airport, where tours of two historic WWII-era planes and flights were being offered.
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CHICO, Calif. – The Chico Air Museum hosted the final day of the “Flying Legends of Victory Tour” through the Arizona Commemorative Air Force, offering visitors a unique chance to explore and fly in two World War II planes.Dozens gathered for this special experience, where they could choose between flying in a B-17 or a B-25. The Arizona Commemorative Air Force showcased the “B-17 Flying Fortress,” known as “Sentimental Journey,” and the “B-25 Mitchell,” called “Maid in the Shade.”For Chico local and Vietnam veteran Dave Cornett, this event held personal significance.”My father was a flight engineer on a B-17 during World War 2 flying missions out of England and was shot down over Holland and he and his crews were taken prisoner by the Germans,” Cornett said.Cornett shared that his father, Corporal Earl Cornett, was eventually liberated after the war and continued his career in the Air Force.When Dave Cornett heard about the tour, he felt compelled to participate. “It just seemed like something I needed to do in remembrance of my father,” said Cornett. “It just struck a nerve and I needed to do this.”Cornett faced a challenge when reserving his spot, as initial availability only showed openings for the B-25. However, he successfully secured a spot on the B-17 after speaking with the organization.As Cornett prepared for his turn on the B-17, Paul Levy, a history enthusiast, took his first flight of the day on the B-25.”It was exciting, it was loud but it was just beautiful,” Levy said. “I mean getting to go up and see Chico and we went over to Oroville, saw the dam and reservoir and all that and being inside of it is a really crazy experience. It’s not like any other flying experience that I’ve had.”Meanwhile, Cornett found out that the B-17 was grounded for the rest of the day due to an oil leak. Despite this setback, he remained optimistic.”They’re speculating that next weekend at McClellan Airport in Sacramento, the B-17 will be repaired and back and I can catch a flight on it there and that will be my plan,” Cornett said. Cornett was given the option to fly in the B-25 but decided not to, citing family history and the rarity of operational B-17s as reasons.He expressed determination to honor his father’s legacy, planning to fly when the B-17 is ready.
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