Credit: Collings Foundation
Local residents will have a chance to experience history this week when a number of World War II-era aircraft come to Philadelphia area for a brief visit.
The aircraft are part of the Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour around the country.
The foundation will be flying a B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine,” B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft,” B-25 Mitchell “Tondelayo” bombers and P-51 Mustang “Toulouse Nuts” fighter to Northeast Philadelphia Airport. People interested can get ground tours or even take part in a flight in one of the historic planes.
According to a press release, the planes will be at the Northeast Philadelphia airport from Monday, August 29, until Wednesday, August 31. Tours on the ground and flights the historic planes will be offered.
The planes are exceedingly rare with the B-17 being only one of eight in flying condition in the country and the B-24J is the sole remaining varient that of plane that can still fly.
Interested parties can go on a ground tour of the planes for $12 for adults and $6 for kids under 12. These tours will take patrons inside and out of the grounded planes to learn about their history.
Flying in the planes will be offered as well. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $450 per person. P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour. B-25 flights are $400 per person, according to organizers.
The Wings of Freedom tour is celebrating its 27th anniversary. For information on the tour, go to www.collingsfoundation.org. Information for reservations and schedules of flights can be found by calling 1-800-568-8924.
