WWII bombers provide Penticton passengers with unique experience

Reinforcements have arrived in the South Okanagan.

One of the very few B-25 bombers from the Second World War still in operation landed at the Penticton airport today, July 19.

It joins the B-17 Flying Fortress that arrived on Monday.

Hundreds of aviation enthusiasts have been visiting the airport throughout the week – some just want to catch a glimpse of the historical aircraft, while others got tickets to fly as passengers.

Marian and Ted Grimwood traveled from Kelowna to experience a flight in the B-25. They made the same trip four years ago, when they booked a trip on the B-17.

The biggest difference between the two bombers they found was the size.

“The 25 is smaller – at my age it’s harder to move around,” said Ted, who got himself stuck after climbing into the rear gunner seat. “I wondered, ‘Should I try?’ It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said.

While flying in the B-25, Ted found himself amazed by how advanced aircraft technology became as a result of the Second World War.

“The manufacturing and determination to get these planes running and successful is off the scale,” he said.

During their flight, Marian rode in the cockpit, paid a visit to the nose gunner seat and she was in the jump seat when the plane landed.

She appreciated the relative safety of her flight because decades ago, the same plane was taking soldiers on wartime missions, when it risked getting shot down or undergoing mechanical problems while behind enemy lines.

“You think about the young men that actually went on and how a lot of them didn’t come back,” Marian said.

The B-25 was given the nickname Made in the Shade, according to a release from the Penticton airport. It was part of the 319 Bomb Group, 437th Squadron at Serragia Airbase, Croatia. In 1944 it served in 15 combat missions over Italy and Yugoslavia, and railroad bridges were its primary target. 

Both planes are visiting from the Airbase Arizona Flying Museum as part of the Legends of Victory Tour, which is being facilitated by the Penticton Flying Club. Secretary Kim Williams took her first ride on a historical aircraft – the B-17 – earlier today. She couldn’t help but notice how heavily armed the plane was.

“There were guns everywhere – everything on it was designed for war and killing,” she said.

Williams felt like the rear gunner would have been the most stressful job on board, having to defend the plane by shooting a turret while positions in a small sphere.

“The rear gunner even has his own little eject button,” she said.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.