Search is on to find buried B-17, B-24 Bombers

The Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society (PHAS) is asking for the public’s help in finding B-17 and B-24 Bombers buried near Pueblo Airport.

The property was once owned by the Pueblo Army Airbase, which closed in the late 1940s. At the time of its closure, it was standard practice to bury unneeded aircraft when a base was closing.

PHSA is looking for someone who witnessed the burial of the aircraft to determine a more exact location in which to search. Family members of those who served at the Pueblo Army Airbase might also have information.

Although thousands of B-17 and B-24 Bombers were built during the WWII years, very few remain. The goal of the Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society is to uncover and restore these historical aircraft.

If you have pictures, maps, or information regarding the Pueblo Army Airbase, or the whereabouts of the planes, contact Joe Musso, restoration unit crew chief, at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, 719-948-9219.

More about the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum and the B-24
The International B-24 Memorial Museum is a reminder of Pueblo’s military heritage and its place in military history. The Pueblo Army Airbase was a B-24 training site from 1942-1946. Thousands of aircrew members trained in Pueblo and then went on to military assignments in all theaters of operation during WWII.

The main purpose of the museum is to honor all those involved in the design, production and military deployment of the B-24 Liberator. It is unique that it is the only known museum dedicated to a specific airplane.

Although the museum lacks an actual B-24 to display, the indoor collection of B-24 technical and design data, military uniforms, airborne radio equipment, photographs, flight log books and other military aviation memorabilia accurately portrays the B-24.

The museum also houses more than a dozen aircraft dating to World War II, including the huge B-29, "Peachy". Outside are 13 additional planes, which will be moved into a second 30,000 square- foot museum hangar when its construction is completed this fall.

Since its founding, PHAS has received thousands of artifacts from those who wanted to aid in efforts to preserve military air history. The society has become the repository of items from individuals or families of loved ones who served in the U.S. military from WWI to the present. More than 100 display cases and exhibits display the uniforms, personal gear, weapons and other artifacts from all branches of the U.S. military and its allies and enemies.

The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 10-4, Sunday, 12-4. Admission is $7.00 for visitors age 10 and older.

Learn more about World War II
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