World War II bombers returned to northern Colorado for July 4 weekend

The 67-year-old War Birds returned to the Loveland - Fort Collins Municipal Airport during the July 4 weekend.

For $12 enthusiasts were allowed to take self guided tours of the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-25 Liberator.

Click on any of the pictures below for a larger view:

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

B-17 waist gunners position showing a 50 caliber machine gun on each side

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Looking forward from the B-24 flight-engineer compartment into the cockpit

Inside the cockpit of the B-17

The B-24 pilot exiting the cockpit after a test run-up of the number 4 engine

One B-24 Liberator crew member said the noise level inside the plane during takeoff was so high “you couldn’t hear someone yelling even if he was right next to you!”

I took the cockpit photos this year. The other photos were taken when these planes were here two years ago. We hope they return again year.