The Collings Foundation's Wings of Freedom Tour Brings
Extremely Rare Bomber and Fighter Aircraft for Local Living History Display
as Part of 110-city Nationwide Tour
Participating in the Collings Foundation's Wings of
Freedom Tour, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine O Nine" WWII
Heavy Bomber, Consolidated B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft" WWII Heavy
Bomber and P-51 Mustang, will fly into Salina Municipal Airport in Salina,
KS for a visit from July 8to July 10.
This is a rare opportunity to visit, explore, and learn
more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history. The
B-17 is one of only 9 in flying condition in the United States, the B-24J
and Dual Control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their
type flying in the World.
Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and
out - $12 donation for adults and $6 donation for children under 12 is
requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of
the aircraft. Non- profit and educational groups please call for
special pricing. Veterans of WWII are not required to donate.
Visitors may also experience the once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to actually take a 30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft.
Flight experiences are a tax-deductible donation. Flights on either the
B-17 or B-24 are $425 per person. 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.
The planes will arrive at 2:00 p.m. on July 8 and will be on
display until the aircraft departs July 10 at 12:00 p.m.. Hours of
ground tours and display are: 2:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, July 8; 9:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July
9; 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10. The 30-minute
flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour
times above.
The Collings Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation
devoted to organizing "living history" events that allows people
to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation.
The Nationwide Wings of Freedom is in its 20th year and visits an
average of 110 cities in over 35 states annually. Since its start,
tens of millions of people have seen the B-17, B-24 & P-51 display at
locations everywhere. The Wings of Freedom tour is one of the most
extraordinary and unique interactive traveling historical displays of its
kind.
The Wings of Freedom Tour travels the nation 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 and 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 we encourage local veterans and their families 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 and not the other way around! Visitors can find out more by
visiting our website at www.collingsfoundation.org.
For further
information e-mail Hunter Chaney, Director of Marketing: hchaney@collingsfoundation.org
