It’s your turn to be mistaken for the man of steel (or a bird), DeKalbians.

Locals will be able to take off in a World War II B-17 bomber alongside pilot Jim Kimmel and his co-pilot for the area, Fred DeWitt, of Sycamore, until Sunday. Kimmel and the crew tour the Midwest with the bomber, flying, giving cockpit tours and selling souvenirs as part of a Commemorative Air Force tour.

Their stop at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, 3232 Pleasant St., sometimes attracts thousands, though it only comes once every three years, DeWitt said.

“We tour our airplane as a flying museum,” DeWitt said. “We come out here to show history to the folks and to honor our vets who served in the war.”

The DeKalb and Sycamore areas are “outstanding in supporting” the aircraft, DeWitt said. His own son, Fred DeWitt, 14, became involved in the Commemorative Air Force at 12 as a cadet.

“What’s not to like? It’s like a privilege that you get to do because no other 14-year-old gets to fly around in an old war bird and fly around the country and tell people about it,” the younger DeWitt said. “…It’s not something you can do every day, and it’s something you’ll enjoy.”

Kimmel said the flights on the plane, dubbed the Sentimental Journey, last about 45 minutes. He has “not seen a passenger yet who hasn’t been thrilled with the experience.”

“We’ve been here before and the community loves it,” DeWitt said. “We’ve come here before just to do maintenance and kind of have a slow time and we were non-stop busy.”

The business may be a result of DeKalb having “a lot of veterans,” said airport manager Tom Cleveland. Cleveland, the son of a World War II B-17 instructor, said he took a flight in the Sentimental Journey four years ago and enjoyed it.

“It’s a community and country event,” Cleveland said. “We love having all the veterans come out and enjoy the B-17.”

The “flying museum” was built in 1944 and was used in military reconnaissance and firefighting, among other things, before being retired. According to the Commemorative Air Force, only 10 B-17s remain in flying condition, though there were 12,731 originally built.

Ground viewing and photos are free and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. The plane’s next stop will be in Rochester, Minn.