Bikes, Blues and Bombers air show opens at Drake Field

A World War II-era B29 Superfortress prepares for landing before touching down at Drake Field Thursday in Fayetteville.

Photos by Clayton Taylor

If you think you may have noticed a World War II-era B29 Superfortress flying over Fayetteville earlier today, and were worried that someone slipped some angel dust onto your turkey leg, don’t panic.

In fact, you happened to have witnessed the only plane of its kind in existence that is still making flights today.

Chris and Tommy Smallman stand outside a B-24 piloted by Allen Benzing from Addison, Texas.

Clayton Taylor

The one-of-a-kind aircraft is in town for a new attraction called Bikes, Blues & Bombers this weekend at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum next to Drake Field Executive Airport in Fayetteville. The event is part of the annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally.

The exhibit features several rare and unique aircrafts in addition to the B-29, including a B-24 Liberator, a
P-51 Mustang, a SB2C Dive Bomber, a C-45 Expediter, a T-6 (Army) or SNJ (Navy) and a Boeing Stearman or P-19.

Admission is $15 per person or $25 for a family, and includes a cockpit tour. You can also take a flight in the bomber for $570-1,495 by booking at airpowersquadron.org.

The full schedule of events surrounding the exhibit is below. For more information, visit bikesbluesandbbq.org.

Thursday, Sept. 19
Noon – B-29 arrives at Drake Field.
2 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. – Gates open at 2 p.m. Cockpit tours available.

Friday, Sept. 20
9 a.m. – B-29 flight
10:30 a.m. Cockpit tours available.

Saturday, Sept. 21
9 a.m. – B-29 flight
10:30 a.m. – B-29 flight
12 p.m. – Cockpit tours available.

Sunday, Sept. 22
9 a.m. – B-29 flight
10:30 a.m. – B-29 flight
12 p.m. – Cockpit tours available

More photos

All photos by Clayton Taylor.