Watch above: A WWII veteran from the Edmonton area has returned to see the plane he spent most of the war in. The 96-year-old went to tour the visiting B-25 and received a hero’s welcome. Fletcher Kent reports.
EDMONTON – An Edmonton-area WWII veteran had the chance to relive history earlier this week, taking flight in a B-25 bomber, the plane in which he spent most of the war.
“It brings back some memories,” said Alex Frame.
“Some of them a little scary, not a little scary, real scary.”
The last time Frame flew in a B-25 was 70 years ago; he embarked on 50 missions over Europe in a British version of the bomber.
When Frame arrived at Villeneuve Airport Thursday, he thought he would just be looking at the rare piece of aviation history. Little did he know staff had more than a viewing in mind.
“You know where my will is?” Frame joked as be boarded the plane.
The B-25 bomber, MAID in the SHADE, landed at Villeneuve on Monday as part of a cross-Canada tour. It was built in 1944 and was the only plane of its kind to return from the war. It took 25 years to restore the aircraft.
WATCH: B-25 lands in Edmonton region
Before the B-25 returns to its home base in Arizona, crew members hope to have as many Canadians, like Frame, experience the aircraft.
“For us, to see the light in the eyes, you can almost see the memories coming back in these individuals. And what a thrill,” said Paul Hlavaty, with the Commemorative Air Force, Airbase Arizona.
“I really enjoyed that,” Frame said with a smile after landing on solid ground. “It was different… I just sat there and enjoyed the flight. Before when I was in there I had to work.”
Frame also signed the B-25’s bomb bay door, something all vets do to commemorate the visit.
With files from Fletcher Kent, Global News.