More than 300,000 Alabamians fought in World War II, distinguishing themselves in myriad ways on the battlefields, on the sea and in the air.

But did you know that a crew of Alabamians was the first in the Eighth Air Force to shoot down a German plane?

According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, Lt. Tom Borders piloted his B-17, the "Birmingham Blitzkrieg," in the Eighth Air Force's first sortie against enemy fighters. Borders and his all-Alabama crew are credited with being the first in the Eighth Air Force -- which operated most of the U.S.'s B-17s -- to bring down a German plane.

With 1,500 World War II veterans dying each day, an organization called The Liberty Foundation is doing its best to keep their legacy and memories alive by touring the country in Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" aircraft like the one Borders made history flying.

The B-17 "Madras Maiden" is making stops around Alabama including Birmingham on Saturday, Sept. 15, and Huntsville on Sunday, Sept. 16.

"With each death, another story of courage, honor and sacrifice is lost forever," the Liberty Foundation's news release says. "This aircraft represents that legacy of courage and valor."

The Liberty Foundation is providing flights on the "Madras Maiden," at a cost of $410 for Liberty Foundation members and $450 for non-members. While that might sound expensive, consider that it costs the Liberty Foundation more than $5,000 per flight hour to operate a B-17.

The Liberty Foundation spends about $1.5 million annually to keep the B-17 -- dubbed the "Flying Fortress" because of its defensive firepower -- airworthy and out on tour.

"Only the public's interest and other generous donations keep this historic aircraft flying and from being silenced permanently in a museum for years to come," the Liberty Foundation states.

If you can't afford to fly, spectators will be allowed in a designated, secured area to watch the aircraft flights at no charge.

About the Madras Maiden

The Madras Maiden was built toward the end of the war, and is one of only 12 B-17s still flying today, according to the Liberty Foundation. The majority of all World War II B-17s were operated by the Eighth Air Force and participated in countless missions from bases in England deep into enemy territory.

The Liberty Foundation's 'Madras Maiden' B-17 will tour Alabama this week.

The Madras Maiden, painted in the colors of the 381st Bomb Group, flew 297 operational missions during the war, dropping 22,000 tons of bombs. The Madras Maiden spent its entire military career (1944-1959) as a research and development aircraft, and was modified as a "Pathfinder" B-17 and equipped with the H2X "Mickey" radar system.

She is the only "Pathfinder" aircraft left in existence, according to the Liberty Foundation.

She was sold as surplus in 1959 to American Compressed Steel of Ohio for $5,025, then sold to Albany Building of Florida and used as a cargo transport, hauling fresh produce between Florida and the Caribbean.

In 1963, she was sold again and converted into a fire ant sprayer under contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. From 1979 through 2014, the Madras Maiden was bought by three different aviation museums and continues to be restored to her original combat configuration. The Liberty Foundation began to operate the Madras Maiden in 2016.

Haskins writes about points of pride statewide. Email your suggestions to shaskins@al.com, or tweet them to @Shelly_Haskins using #AlabamaProud



Want to go?

Call 678-589-7433 to schedule a flight on the Madras Maiden B-17 Flying Fortress, or come out and take a tour and watch the flights. Flights are $410 for Liberty Foundation members or $450 for non-members. Visit www.libertyfoundation.org for more information.

Saturday

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, Atlantic Aviation, 4725 65th Place North, Birmingham, AL., 35206



Sunday

Huntsville International Airport, Signature Flight Support, 2000 Houston Goodson Way, Huntsville, AL, 35824