World War II aircraft tours, rides to be offered next week

The Airpower History Tour will bring World War II aircrafts to the Springfield-beckley Municipal Airport this week.

The event, presented by the Commemorative Air Force, brings the public tour to many airports across the country each year.

“The sights, sounds and stories of World War II aviation will come to life in Springfield when the B-29 Superfortress “FIFI” and the B-24 Liberator “DIAMOND LIL” land at Springfield-beckley Municipal Airport, accompanied by a T-6 Texan and a PT-13 Stearman. The P-51 Mustang “Gunfighter” will also be making an appearance,” the CAF said.

The B-29 and B-24 will arrive at the airport at noon Monday, and the P-51 will arrive at noon Friday. The aircraft will be at the Main Terminal ramp at the airport, 1251 W. Blee Road in Springfield.

The event will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through next Sunday. Visitors will get to view aircraft up close, purchase rides and tour the B-29 and B-24 cockpits.

“The Airpower History Tour is a living museum that travels around the country to provide local people with an opportunity to get up close and personal with two of the most significant Allied aircraft of World War II. They not only can go inside and tour the aircraft, but can also experience their sound and power when they start up for our ride flights,” said Jacques Robitaille, public information officer for CAF.

“Our mission is simple: to honor, educate and inspire. To honor the men that flew them and the women that built them, to educate the public on the significant role both these aircraft and

their crews played in securing the freedoms we enjoy today, and to inspire young people to pursue careers in aviation,” Robitaille added.

The aircraft will offer rides all five days and the P-51 will offer rides beginning at 1 p.m. Friday. The B-29 will fly at 9 and 10:30 a.m. and the B-24 will fly at 9:30 and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

There will also be cockpit tours of both the B-29 and

B-24 available starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday through Friday, and starting at noon on Saturday and Sunday.

Access to the ramp will cost $20 for adults, $10 for youth ages 11 to 17, and is free for children 10 and under. Rides can also be booked in advance at Airpowertour.org.

The CFA, the world’s largest flying museum, has collected over 170 WWII airplanes and flown them for more than six decades. The aircraft are assigned to unit locations across the country and are supported by 12,000 volunteer members.

“Nearly all the aircraft are kept in flying condition, enabling people to experience firsthand the sight and sound of vintage military aircraft in flight,” the CAF stated. “The CAF is dedicated to honoring American military aviation through flight, exhibition, education and remembrance.”

For more information, visit airpowerquadron.org/ springfield-oh.