Historic aircraft to fill the skies over Washington D.C.

On Sept. 25, 2020, approximately 70 vintage aircraft will take to the skies over Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The Arsenal of Democracy (AOD) Flyover will feature historically sequenced formations representing the war’s major battles from the Battle of Britain through the final air assault on Japan.

More than 20 different types of vintage military aircraft are scheduled to fly in formations beginning over the Lincoln Memorial at 11:30 a.m. EST with planes flying in two-minute intervals over the skies of the nation’s capital. The commemoration is expected to last approximately 70 minutes and will be live-streamed on the AOD’s Facebook page.

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) will send 18 warbirds from 13 units across seven states to participate in the World War II Victory Commemoration Flyover. Aircraft include a range of bombers, fighters, and vital transport and support aircraft, all of which played crucial roles in World War II.

Participating CAF aircraft include some of the war’s most iconic warbirds, such as the:

• B-29 Superfortress FIFI: One of only two B-29 Heavy Bombers still flying.
• C-47 That’s All, Brother: Led the formation of 800 aircraft from which 13,000 U.S. paratroopers jumped during the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
• P-51 Mustang Tuskegee Airmen: Long range fighter-bomber made famous by the inspirational stories of the African-American pilots who flew them.
• B-17 Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey: Flew bombing missions over Europe throughout the war. One of only five B-17s around the world still actively flying. 
• T-6 Texan Nella: Flown by the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), America’s first female military aviators.

“The CAF is dedicated to educating, inspiring, and honoring through flight and living history experiences,” said Hank Coates, president, Commemorative Air Force. “We’re proud to serve as a principle organizer of the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover to help ensure we recognize and remember the enormous sacrifices of our nation’s heroes.”

Founded in 1957, the Commemorative Air Force has amassed 175 World War II aircraft – the largest collection of vintage military warbirds in the world. Through the work of more than 11,000 volunteers across 83 units, the CAF’s educational outreach programs reach an estimated 20 million Americans each year.