RAPID CITY, S.D.— Several kids from Cornerstone's Women and Children's Home got a personal tour Wednesday of a plane that's seen a lot of action. West Jet Air Center at Rapid City Regional Airport hosted the tour of rare WWII Navy bomber. Kids got to climb inside the PB4Y-2 privateer and hear about the planes history from its pilot. Designed as low-altitude long range bomber, the aircraft spent some time with the Coast Guard then in fire fighting as a slurry bomber before retiring into private ownership.
With only seven left in the world getting a chance to see the bomber was a rare opportunity, especially since this is the last one flying. The bomber's pilot hopes some of the kids walk away from the tour with some interest in the aviation industry. PB4Y-2 Pilot Bijan Maleki says, "They need to be aware that that they can do anything they may have never been in an airplane or seen an airplane up close before, and hopefully it inspires maybe one of them, whether it's to take a role in aviation maintenance or to get interested in flying themselves."
The kids were all smiles during this once in a lifetime experience, for many the first time ever stepping on a plane. The Cornerstone Rescue Mission says their extremely grateful West Jet thought of them for this opportunity. Executive Director of Cornerstone Rescue Mission Lisa Allison says, "To be able to provide this and to be so kind and so patient and wanting to work with Cornerstone is pretty fabulous."
Each child on the tour received their own model plane and other goodies. West Jet also helping make the trip possible by donating the fuel for the flight.
The Trust Project
