B25 Tour
B25 Tour
5/16/2024 to 5/19/2024

Peru,
Details
Peru, IL
Illinois Valley Regional Airport
$475.00 - $495.00

Flights are filled in sequential order based on availability. Your assigned flight time will appear once you add the product to your cart. Please check-in onsite one hour prior to your assigned flight time. Contact a Membership Services Representative at 1-800-359-6217 with any questions.

Experience the historic B-25 Mitchell up close with EAA Flight Experiences. Witness its iconic presence and delve into its rich wartime history through guided tours and engaging presentations. EAA’s legendary B-25 Berlin Express is coming to you!

This iconic aircraft stands as a testament to wartime bravery and innovation, carrying with it the legacy of daring missions and heroic endeavors.

Join us in paying homage to our veterans and embracing the essence of flight by securing your seat on the B-25 Berlin Express. Your ticket not only guarantees a memorable ride but also extends support to the Experimental Aircraft Association, a nonprofit organization committed to preserving aviation heritage and inspiring future generations of aviators and enthusiasts.

Each flight offers eight seats, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and filled sequentially based on availability. Your designated flight time will be provided upon adding the product to your cart. Please ensure onsite check-in at least one hour before your scheduled flight. A minimum of five passengers is required per flight. In the event of fewer than five bookings, we'll make every effort to reschedule the flight for the same day or another day during the tour. If rescheduling isn't feasible, the flight may be canceled without incurring any cancellation charges. For inquiries, please reach out to our Membership Services Representative at 1-800-359-6217.

Pricing:

Non-Members: $495

EAA Members: $475

*1-year EAA membership included with nonmember ticket purchases*

Frequently Asked Questions


How do I schedule a flight?

Book online or call 1-800-359-6217. Walk-ups for the current tour stop are always welcome by calling the Tour Coordinator at 920-379-4244. The Tour Coordinator can let you know if seats are still available at the current tour stop.

What happens during a flight experience?

Here is the schedule for a typical flight experience:

Arrival: Arrive one hour prior to your scheduled flight time to get acquainted with the aircraft and crew. You will be asked to fill out a form, and if you have not yet paid, the fee will be requested at this time as well.

Preflight: Shortly before boarding the airplane, we will discuss aircraft safety with you and the other riders. Seating assignments and flight procedures will be discussed at this time. You will then be taken aboard the aircraft. All passengers must be seated and wear a seatbelt for engine start, taxi, and takeoff.

During Flight: Once the aircraft is in the air, you will be allowed to move about the aircraft freely. Take this time to visit the various compartments of the aircraft. Explore as much as you like and feel free to take pictures and video.

Landing: All passengers must be seated and wear a seatbelt for landing, taxi, and engine shutdown.

How long does the flight experience last?

Each flight experience lasts approximately one hour, including briefing, debriefing, and about 18 minutes of actual flight time.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear clothing appropriate to local weather conditions. The aircraft can be drafty at times, so you may consider bringing a light jacket or sweatshirt for the flight. Foam ear plugs are provided if you would like them (the flight can be quite noisy.) Cameras and camcorders are allowed (and encouraged), but please try and keep them as small as possible as space is restricted inside the airplane. Other forms of baggage are generally discouraged.

Do I need to be a pilot or a military veteran?

No. Anyone can take a B-25 flight experience. You need not be a pilot or military veteran.

Do I need to be an EAA member?

No, it is not required to be an EAA member to ride in the airplane.

I'm a pilot. Will I be allowed to handle the controls of the airplane?

It is not possible for you to sit at the controls or interfere with the pilots during the flight. This is an FAA regulation.

How many seats are available on each flight?

There are 8 seats available on each flight available on a first-come, first-served basis. A minimum of 5 people are required per flight. If fewer than 5 people are booked, we will try to reschedule the flight that day or another day during the tour. If rescheduling is not possible these flights may be cancelled and a cancellation charge will not be assessed.

Is the airplane accessible to people of limited mobility?

All passengers are required to board, exit, and take their seats in the aircraft unassisted. Steps are required to enter the airplane.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If mechanical or weather problems occur at the time of your scheduled flight, alternatives will be discussed with you whether to reschedule the flight for a later time, date, or location. Weather and/or mechanical problems may delay or cancel a scheduled flight. Every effort will be made to reschedule these flights.

Is a waiver of liability required?

Yes, a signed waiver must be signed by all passengers.
A parent or legal guardian is required to sign a waiver for each minor under the age of 18.

What if I have other questions?

If you have further questions, please call 1-800-359-6217 or e-mail B25@EAA.org.

History of the B-25

The North American B-25 Mitchell, a versatile medium bomber, played a pivotal role in World War II across all branches of the United States armed forces. This powerful twin-engine and twin-tailed aircraft was named in honor of General Billy Mitchell, a prominent advocate for air power. The B-25 also served Allied nations through lend-lease agreements, proving its effectiveness in various combat theaters.

Following the United States Army Air Corps' call for a medium bomber in March 1939, North American delivered the NA-62 prototype, later designated as the B-25, meeting stringent requirements for payload capacity, range, and speed. The aircraft's outstanding performance led the Air Corps to call for immediate full-scale production without the need for further testing.

The B-25 gained widespread recognition during the daring Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in April 1942, a mission led by renowned aviator General James H. Doolittle. Despite launching earlier and at a greater distance than planned due to enemy detection, the raid achieved its objectives, significantly boosting national morale and demonstrating the aircraft's capabilities.

Production of the B-25 was a significant feat, with North American's facilities in Kansas City, Kansas and Inglewood, California leading the effort. Remarkably, North American became the sole company producing bombers, fighters, and trainers concurrently during the war, resulting in the production of a substantial number of aircraft.

Throughout the war, B-25s were extensively employed in the Pacific theater, where their versatility and effectiveness in ground attack roles were particularly notable. Units like the famed 345th Bomb Group, known as the "Air Apaches," used B-25s with great success in various campaigns.

The B-25 underwent continuous development, resulting in variants such as the heavily armed G and H models, as well as naval versions designated as the PBJ. By the end of the war, nearly 10,000 B-25s had been built, solidifying its place as one of the most iconic aircraft of the era.

Following the war, the B-25 continued to serve in various capacities within the peacetime Air Force, including roles as personal transports and training aircraft, until its retirement from military service in May 1960. In civilian hands, the B-25 found new life as an executive transport and played a crucial role as a fire bomber, contributing to its enduring legacy beyond wartime service.

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