More than 65 years ago, B-17 bombers frequently filled the skies of Europe as the Allied Force fought back Nazi Germany during World War II.

This weekend, a B-17 will be taking to the sky over Atlanta giving people a first hand look at the mighty aircraft in action.

The Liberty Belle, a 1945 B-17G came into DeKalb County this week in preparations for public flights out of DeKalb Peachtree Airport.

“This is the plane that took the war to the Germans,” said Ron Gause, a 52-year-old pilot who serves as a volunteer for the Liberty Foundation. “We take this plane around to honor World War II and to educate our young people about the war.”

The Liberty Belle did not see any action though. It rolled off the assembly line in early 1945 – the closing days of the war.

The plane was used as a training aircraft and spent several years at the New England Air Museum.

The plane finished a $3.5 million restoration in 2004. It only cost about $200,000 to build the plane in 1945.

Public flights on the Liberty Belle B-17 are set for Feb. 13 and 14. Flights will be out of DeKalb Peachtree Airport from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Flights are $430, with all proceeds going to the Liberty Foundation to fund the operation of the Liberty Belle.

Information: (918) 340-0243 or visit www.libertyfoundation