History of Airbase Arizona

Mike Clarke donates a B-17G that is destined to become Sentimental Journey...

On January 14, 1978, at a membership banquet for the newly formed Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, Colonel Mike Clarke announced the donation of a B-17G aircraft to the CAF for assignment to the Arizona unit. A contest was initiated by the local media to name the aircraft, which resulted in more than 800 entries, with the ultimate selection of the name Sentimental Journey. The decision was made to use the most famous pinup picture of World War II for the nose art. Permission was secured from widower Harry James to add Betty Grable in her most tantalizing pose to complete the newly acquired bomber.