The Collings Foundation's Wings of Freedom Tour brings two of the most important aircraft of WWII -- the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the Consolidated B-24 Liberator -- to the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport on June 15-17.
Restored to exacting 1944 condition, the planes fly to over 120 cities nationwide for display and to offer flights for people interested in reliving history through a hands-on experience.
The two planes were at The Dalles airport five years ago.
Over 12,000 B-17s were built during WWII to serve as daylight heavy strategic bombers; there are only eight currently flying. The opportunity to see these aircraft fully restored and flying is rare.
This year marks the inaugural season of the B-24 Liberator flying in a new paint scheme representing the 8th Air Force as the famous "Witchcraft" of the 467th Bomb Group. "Witchcraft flew from her base in Rackheath, England over the skies of Germany and occupied countries in 1944 and 1945. The aircraft flew an unheard of 130 missions without a single casualty or injury to her crew and never once was turned back due to mechanical failure.
During the display, visitors will be able to tour the aircraft for a small donation and see what it was like to be a crewman aboard during World War II. All positions aboard the aircraft are accurately restored with the original instruments, gun positions, and equipment.
Visitors can also take the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly an actual mission aboard the B-17 or B-24. Flight experiences allow visitors to enjoy the ultimate in hands-on learning. Flights are 30 minutes in duration.
All donations help support the maintenance of the aircraft, which costs nearly $3100 per flight hour per aircraft.
The display will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on June 15; 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on June 16; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 17.
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