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00000177-2120-db48-a97f-fb22304a0000South Carolina has a rich military history, beginning in the Colonial Era. Today, the state has a significant military presence. SC Public Radio and SCETV offers news coverage of South Carolina's active bases, military personnel and veterans, and the economic and cultural impact they have on communities throughout the state and across the nation, as well as stories and profiles exploring our state's military history.

A Flying Museum: Madras Maiden Tours Offer Military Aviation History Trip

Between 1935 and 1945, more than 12,000 World War II Boeing B-17 Bombers were produced. The aircraft was dubbed the “Flying Fortress,” as a result of the defensive fire power used during the war. A little more than a third (4,735) were lost in combat and today only 12 still take to the skies.

The Madras Maiden is a B-17 that was built towards the end of the war; it was used as a training aircraft. Today, the bomber is owned by the Liberty Foundation, a nonprofit museum whose mission is to preserve WWII aviation history.

The Liberty Foundation's 45-minute, B-17 experience will fly in Charleston September 23 from the Charleston Executive Airport (2742 Fort Trenholm Rd. Johns Island, SC 29455) and in Columbia on September 24 from the Jim Hamilton-LB Owens Airport (1400 Jim Hamilton Blvd. Columbia, SC 29205). For more information, visit www.libertyfoundation.org or call (918) 340-0243.