The Wings of Freedom tour, featuring an authentically restored B-17, B-24 and P-51, will visit three airports in Virginia in October.
The tour, sponsored by the Collings Foundation, will visit: Warrenton-Fauquier Airport in Warrenton Oct. 10-13, Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport in Weyers Cave Oct. 18-20, and Chesterfield County Airport Oct. 20-22.
The tour will arrive at Warrenton-Fauquier Airport at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10 and will be on display at the main ramp until the aircraft departs Oct. 13 at noon. Hours of ground tours and display are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Oct. 10-11 and 10 a.m.-noon on Oct. 13. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times above.
The tour will arrive at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport at 2 p.m. on Oct. 18 and will be on display at Min Ramp until the aircraft departs Oct.20 at noon. Hours of ground tours and display are 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 18; 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 19; and 9 a.m. - noon Oct. 20. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times above.
The tour will arrive at Chesterfield County Airport at 2 p.m. on Oct. 20 and will be on display at the main ramp until the aircraft departs Oct. 22 at noon. Hours of ground tours and display are 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. on Oct. 20; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Oct. 21; and 9 a.m. - noon on Oct. 22. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times above.
The Collings Foundation is a non-profit, educational foundation (501-C3), founded in 1979. The purpose of the foundation is to organize and support "living history" events that enable Americans to learn more about their heritage through direct participation.
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 the citizens and families that share the freedom that they helped preserve.
The B-17 & B-24 were the backbone of the American effort during the war 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 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-24 & P-51 and their importance to telling the story of WWII is why the Collings Foundation continues to fly and display the aircraft nationwide.
At each location, local veterans and their families are encouraged to visit and share their experiences and stories with the public. For aviation enthusiasts, the tour provides opportunity for the museum to come to the visitor. For more information, visit www.collingsfoundation.org.
Cost to view the planes, inside and out, is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. There is no charge for WWII Veterans to tour through the aircraft. There is a discounted school rate of $2 per student and $12 per chaperone. Visitors may also take a 30-minute flight aboard the aircraft. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $425 per person. P-51 flights are $2,200 for 30 minutes and $3,200 for 60 minutes. For reservations and information on flight experiences, call 800-568-8924.
