CHICO — Two World War II planes will be coming to the Chico Municipal Airport for rides and viewing through the Arizona-based Commemorative Air Force.

The B-17 Flying Fortress bomber called Sentimental Journey and the B-25 bomber called Maid in the Shade will be in Chico from Aug. 12-18.

According to Brian Baldridge of the Chico Air Museum, which is hosting the aircraft, it’s a homecoming of sorts for the B-17, which was stationed in Chico and was photographed around 1964 in front of the hangar that now houses the museum.

According to Wikipedia.org, “On 27 January 1959, the aircraft was transferred to military storage at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. After a few months storage, 83514 was acquired by the Aero Union Corporation of Chico, California, receiving civilian aircraft registration: N-9323Z. For 18 years, the converted bomber flew as a forest fire fighter throughout the United States.”

According to Baldridge, the plane was converted back to a bomber in the late 70s. Aero Union and its precursor Western Air Industries owned it from 1960 to 1978, he said.

According to the Commemorative Air Force, the plane is “exceptionally rare,” being one of 10 B-17Gs in the world still flying. Roughly 13,000 were produced from 1936 to 1945, according to the plane’s background sheet. It was built in November 1944.

Movie actress Betty Grable is painted on the plane’s nose, and it has been a part of several Hollywood films, including “Twelve O’Clock High,” “Air Force,” “Test Pilot,” “Tora! Tora! Tora!,” and “Memphis Belle.”

The B-25 was built in early 1944, and is also rare, being one of 34 still flying. The plane was the kind that Jimmy Doolittle and his Raiders flew in bombing raids in Japan.

According to local history records, Doolittle and his team practiced landings and take-offs with B-25s in Glenn County before heading for Japan.

Regarding the visit, Baldridge said, “Our inspiration is to see as many WW2 veterans with their children and grandchildren come out to see, ride, or tour these airplanes. Our second hope is to recruit more docent volunteers to join in the fun we have at the museum.”

The nonprofit Commemorative Air Force offers what it calls “living history rides,” which range in price from $325 to $850. Rides will be given from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Reservations for rides can be made through the website www.flyinglegendstour.com. Also, reservations can be made for the B-17 by calling 1-602-448-9415 and for the B-25 at 1-480-322-5503.

The planes will be available to tour from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, while they are in Chico. Tour fees are $15 person, $25 for family.

The museum is also looking for “temporary” volunteers to help staff the Chico Air Museum during this special visit. Volunteers would be asked to work one of five hour-long shifts. In return, they receive a free walk-through tour of both aircrafts. To volunteer, contact by email at chicoairmuseum@gmail.com or call 345-6468.