Rare planes to be on display in Chesco
VALLEY » In honor of World War II veterans, Wings of Freedom Tour is hosting a living history display at the Chester County G. O. Carlson Airport as part of a nationwide tour.
Participating in the Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour is the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” WWII Heavy Bomber, Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” WWII Heavy Bomber and North American B-25 Mitchell “Tondelayo” mid-range bomber and P-51 Mustang “Toulouse Nuts” fighter, which will fly into the Chester County G. O. Carlson Airport in Valley Township for a visit from Aug. 28-30.
Event organizers said this is a rare opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history.
The B-17 is one of only eight in flying condition in the United States, the B-24J is the sole remaining examples of its type flying in the World. The B-25 is best known for being used in the daring Doolittle raid. The P-51 Mustang was awarded Grand Champion for restoration at EAA’s Oshkosh AirVenture. Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out.
The Wings of Freedom Tour will be on display at the Chester County G O Carlson Airport with aircraft at Signature Flight at 1 Earhart Drive. The hours of ground tours and display are: noon to 5 p.m. on Aug. 28; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 29 and 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 30. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times.
The cost for adults is $15 and $5 for children under 12, which allows for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft. Discounted visitors may also experience a 30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $450 per person. P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour. B-25 flights are $400 per person. For reservations and information on flight experiences call 800568-8924.
The Collings Foundation is a non-profit educational foundation that organizes “living history” events where people can learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation. The Nationwide Wings of Freedom Tour is celebrating its 28th year and visits an average of 110 cities in more than 35 states annually.
The Wings of Freedom Tour travels the nation as a flying tribute to the flight crews who flew them, the ground crews who maintained them, the workers who built them, the soldiers, sailors and airmen they helped protect, and for the citizens and families that share the freedom that they helped preserve. Event organizers noted that the B-17, B-25 and B-24 were the backbone of the American effort during the war from 1942-45 and were famous for their ability to sustain damage and still accomplish the mission. Despite the risks of anti-aircraft fire, attacking enemy fighters, and the harrowing environment of sub-zero temperatures, many B-17s and B-24s safely brought their crews home. The P-51 Mustang was affectionately known as the bombers “Little Friend” — saving countless crews from attacking axis fighters. After the war, many aircraft were scrapped for their raw aluminum to rebuild a nation in post-war prosperity and therefore very few were spared. The rarity of the B-17, B-25, B-24 and P-51, as well as its importance to telling the story of WWII is why the Collings Foundation continues to fly and display the aircraft nationwide.
Event organizers said veterans and their families are encouraged to visit and share their experiences and stories with the public at each location.
For more information,
visit www.collingsfoundation.org or email Hunter Chaney, director of marketing: hchaney@collingsfoundation.org or call 800568-8924.