DANVILLE — The public can tour and even take a ride on a historic war bird that's scheduled to land at the Vermilion Regional Airport next month.

The Experimental Aircraft Association is bringing a restored B-17 bomber, nicknamed "Aluminum Overcast," to the airport, at 22633 N. Bowman Ave. just north of Danville, as part of its 2011 B-17 National Salute to Veterans Tour, spokeswoman Mindy Pearson said.

The plane will arrive at the airport on Sept. 12 and remain through Sept. 14.

The public can take self-guided ground tours and flights on Sept. 13 and 14.

Ground tours are $5 per person, or $15 per family, which includes immediate family members and children up to age 17. Children 8 and under can get in free when accompanied by an adult.

The tours are free for active military and veterans.

Flights are $425 for EAA members, or $399 for members who make a reservation. They are $465 for nonmembers, or $430 for nonmembers who make a reservation.

People can make a reservation online at http://www.eaa.org or by calling 1-800-359-6217 or Leon "Junior" Downing at 260-1684. The deadline is Sept. 12.

Dubbed the "The Flying Fortress," the B-17 bomber is an icon of the Allied strategic bombing effort that helped turn the tide in WWII, according to the EAA website. It is considered one of the greatest military airplanes ever built, and one of the best-known aircraft type of the war era.

According to the site, Aluminum Overcast was built in 1944, but was delivered to the Army Air Corps too late to see active service in World War II. It was purchased as war surplus for $750 by a private individual, and served in mapping and spraying operations until a preservation group purchased it in 1978.

The site says the B-17 was donated to the EAA Aviation Foundation in 1981 with the provision of being maintained in airworthy condition. After being displayed at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis., for a decade, the plane made its national tour debut in the spring of 1994.

Since then, tens of thousands of people have taken ground tours, and thousands have flown in the bomber. EAA now fully owns the aircraft and operates the national tour.

Members of the EAA War Birds of America who are experienced in World War II airplane operations fly the plane, which is painted in the colors of the 398th Bomb Group.

EAA is an international aviation organization with 170,000 members and more than 1,000 local chapters. More information is available on the website.