Heroes of the sky

HAYDEN — In the spring of 1942, a fleet of U.S. Army Air Force B-25 Mitchell bombers led by Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle targeted Tokyo in an air attack known as the Doolittle Raid.

The raid was payback for Pearl Harbor as well as a dose of morale for America. Each plane crash-landed and some of the brave soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice, but the mission was successful and Doolittle received the Medal of Honor and was promoted for leading the first air strike on Japan. The 1944 American film "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" was based on this mission.

B-25 bomber pilots and crews played a big part in World War II, and one of those historic planes will be soaring into North Idaho next week.

"This was a very critical time in the war," said Coeur d'Alene Aviation Club member and event organizer Doug Swanson. "These B-25s flew all over the South Pacific."

The "Maid in the Shade" B-25J bomber will be landing at the Coeur d'Alene Airport Monday, open for tours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Aug. 21 and booking living history flights Aug. 19-21.

While "Maid in the Shade" in particular did not fly in Doolittle's Raid, it serves as a tangible reminder of what World War II's sky heroes experienced while fighting in the air.

"It's a very historic airplane. The plane model is very famous," Swanson said. "This is how we got to where we are today. It represents a big part of our history."

Swanson described the huge and heavy bombers as "old rattle cans" that really tested the brave souls who flew them.

"What they lived with back in those days is still pretty amazing to me," Swanson said. "Those guys were hanging on for dear life."

The "Maid in the Shade" is visiting North Idaho as part of the Flying Legends of Victory Tour and is one of the Commemorative Air Force's combat aircraft from its world-famous flying museum. A $5 tour donation is requested. Flights are $395 or $650 for a bombardier seat and space is limited.

On Aug. 21, the Coeur d'Alene Aviation Club 1254 is inviting several different classic car clubs to bring their vintage vehicles and have photos taken in front of the B-25 for a $10 donation. A pancake breakfast will take place from 8-10 a.m. for $7 and hamburgers will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $5.

Swanson said a portion of proceeds will go to the Aviation Club for Kids to help develop and maintain an interest in aviation and history.

"It just seems to me that the older guys are passing on," Swanson said. "It's important for the next generation to see this kind of history and appreciate it."

For information about flights, call (480) 322-5503 or email B25RC@azcaf.org.

The Coeur d'Alene Airport is located at 10375 Sensor Ave. in Hayden.