Flying Fortress: Restored B-17 Liberty Belle pays tribute to WWII aviation

One of the left engines starts first, giving off a puff of smoke as the propeller comes to life. The second left engine starts next, and then the two engines on the right side, one at a time, creating an ever-increasing roar as the plane powers up.

For those sitting in the cockpit, it creates a feeling like no other.

"It rumbles, it moves, it shakes. It has a personality," says pilot Chris Tuckfield of the B-17 Liberty Belle. "And what's really neat is you feel a connection with the past. It brings to mind what those people went through."

That's what the Liberty Belle is all about. This fully restored Flying Fortress travels around the country, offering rides to the public (for a price). A stop was made in Salt Lake City last weekend.

"This is a flying piece of history," says Sean O'Brien, a volunteer with the Liberty Foundation, which sponsors the Liberty Belle. "It's also a flying tribute to all those who made such sacrifices for the freedoms we have."

The appearances allow people to see and hear and feel what flying in a B-17 was like and at the same time pay tribute to all those who experienced those same sensations during World War II.

There are only 14 B-17s left in the country that are airworthy, only eight that do still fly, and only four that give rides to passengers, says Fran Hess, another volunteer with the Liberty Foundation. "As many times as I've done it, it still amazes me every time."

The B-17 is probably the most identifiable and iconic of the U.S. fleet that participated in the World War II. The four-engine heavy bomber, developed in 1930, was used extensively in the bombing campaign against German industrial and military targets, working mostly out of England with the 8th Air Force. Some B-17s were also employed by the 15th Air Force, based in Italy; they also saw some action in the Pacific theater, in raids against the Japanese.

The B-17 earned its reputation and status for good reason. It could fly higher and longer than many of the other war planes; it could unleash powerful destruction while being able to defend itself. And, perhaps most importantly, it could survive severe damage and still manage to limp back to its base. It was dubbed a "flying fortress" by a newspaper reporter; the name was so apt Boeing later trademarked it.

Eventually, some 12,732 B-17s were manufactured. Each carried a crew of 10. Those planes and those men made a tremendous difference in the Allied effort.