General Aviation News

Fly back to World War II times

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SEATTLE — The steady rumble of World War II airplanes will resonate at The Museum of Flight June 23-25, while a group of four historic aircraft from the Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour is based at the museum on Boeing Field.

Ground tours are free for veterans. Reservations are suggested for rides in the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24J Liberator and B-25 Mitchell bombers, and a dual-control TP-51D Mustang fighter aircraft.

The aircraft will be stationed on the museum’s tarmac Friday, June 23, from 2 to 5 p.m., and June 24-25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information on flight reservations and costs, call 978-562-9182 or visit CollingsFoundation.org. [Read more…]

Minden-Tahoe Airport to host World War II aircraft

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MINDEN, Nevada — The Wings of Freedom Tour, honoring World War II veterans, including the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine,” B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft,” and P-51 Mustang fighter will arrive at Minden-Tahoe Airport at noon on June 2 and will be on display until noon on June 4.

Ground tours and display hours will be held from 12- 5 p.m. on Monday, June 2; 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3; and from 9 a.m. through 12 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4.

Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out. World War II Veterans can tour through the aircraft at no cost. The regular price for tours is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft. Discounted rates for school groups are also offered.

Visitors also can experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a 30-minute flight aboard either the B-17 or B-24 for $450 per person. The 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

The Nationwide Wings of Freedom Tour is celebrating its 25th year and visits an average of 110 cities in over 35 states annually.

For more information about the tour stop at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, e-mail Chris Johnson, Airport Operations Supervisor at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, at cjohnson@co.douglas.nv.us or call 775-782-9871.

The tour is organized by the Collings Foundation, a non-profit educational foundation devoted to organizing “living history” allowing people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation.

Speak up now to protect historic flights

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By HUNTER CHANEY, Collings Foundation

With the sun glinting off the polished canopy, Bud Day grasped the yellow boarding ladder of his F-100F “Hun” and proceeded to make the long climb to the cockpit. Strapping into the ejection seat, he scanned the tarmac below. He had done this countless instances before — counting down the minutes before the start of anther sortie. This time, however, he was not looking at the surroundings of Phu Cat Air Base in South Vietnam. Instead, he viewed his family and friends, all eager to see him take to the sky for one last mission. Over four decades had passed since his last combat flight in the venerable “Hun,” but as the jet engine roared to life and the aircraft taxied to the runway, “his” airplane felt like home.

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Wings of Freedom tour to arrive at FMY

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Aviation enthusiasts and history buffs will have the opportunity to tour — or take flight — in rare, historic World War II aircraft when the Collings Foundation brings its Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Nine-O-Nine” heavy bomber, Consolidated B-24J Liberator “Witchcraft” heavy bomber and North American Dual Control P-51C Mustang “Betty Jane” fighter to Florida’s Page Field (FMY) on Wednesday, Feb. 8 through Friday, Feb.10.

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