WWII Plane On Display at Yakima Airport

One of the real work horses of WWII is in Yakima for the week.

The short range, low-altitude bomber was critical to the American war effort.

It was named "Maid in the Shade" back in 1943.

Monday afternoon, it was time to take another old timer up for a ride.

92-year old Frances Shield was the radio engineer on one of these during WWII.

Monday was the first time he's flown in one since the war ended.

"I didn't want to be drafted," says Shields. "I didn't want to go over there and walk in the mud. I said the hell with it. I joined the air corps."

The pilots made sure France was given the ride of a lifetime, gliding across the Yakima Valley, even encouraging him to climb into the nose for a spectacular 200-degree view.

The B-25 is on display at the McAllister Museum at the Yakima Airport through Friday.