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Feature article
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Wings of Freedom tour brings WWII planes to Tri-Cities
By staff report
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| A B-17 will be among the vintage aircraft arriving at Tri-Cities Regional Airport along with the era’s premier fighter, the P-51C Mustang, like that pictured above, and a B-24 Liberator. The Wings of Freedom tour will be on display at the general aviation ramp. Photo courtesy of Collings Foundation. |
BLOUNTVILLE — Three of the top World War II aircraft that distinguished themselves in the European Theater will be appearing at Tri-Cities Regional Airport Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 2-4.
The Collings Foundation will bring in a B-17 Flying Fortress and a B-24 Liberator, plus the only existing dual-control P-51 Mustang fighter.
The B-17 is one of only nine such aircraft in flying condition in the United States. The B-24J and the P-51C are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the world.
The Wings of Freedom tour will arrive at Tri-City Aviation on Monday at 2 p.m. and be on display at the general aviation ramp until noon on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Display hours will be 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 4.
Flight experiences aboard the planes are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times.
The Collings Foundation asks for a $12 donation from adults and a $6 donation for children under 12 for up-close viewing and cockpit tours.
Thirty-minute flights are available on the B-17 and B-24 for $425 per person. To get some stick time in the world’s greatest fighter, P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour. For reservations and information on flight experiences call (800) 568-8924.
“Touring through and flying in these historic aircraft while hearing incredible stories from local World War II veterans makes for a very memorable history lesson,” said Hunter Chaney, the Collings Foundation’s director of marketing.
The actual planes participating in the Wings of Freedom tour are the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” WWII heavy bomber, Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” WWII heavy bomber and a dual-control P-51 Mustang.
The Collings Foundation is a nonprofit educational foundation devoted to organizing living history events that allow people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation.
The Wings of Freedom tour is in its 20th year and visits an average of 110 cities in more than 35 states annually.
“The Wings of Freedom tour travels the nation as flying tribute to the flight crews who flew these planes, the ground crews who maintained them, the workers who built them, the soldiers, sailors and airmen they helped protect, and the citizens and families that share the freedom that they helped preserve,” Chaney said.
The B-17 and B-24 were the backbone of the American effort in the European Theater from 1942 to 1945 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 subzero 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. It was the first fighter with the range to accompany the bombers all the way to Germany and back.
For more information visit collingsfoundation.org.
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