The Flying Heritage Collection, featuring rare World War I and World War II planes acquired by investor and philanthropist Paul G. Allen and restored to flying condition, will display a portion of its aircraft at the Arlington (WA) 2005 EAA Fly-In on July 6-10.

The Flying Heritage Collection's painstaking process of restoring its aircraft sets them apart from all other aviation artifacts, each restored to a level of authenticity never attempted before. The Flying Heritage Collection team exhaustively researches and seeks out original vendors to reconstruct materials and components that have become obsolete. From cotton-coated wiring and lacquer and enamel paint to vintage cockpit furnishings and original radios that still operate, these planes are as authentic as is possible.

"We are pleased to welcome the Flying Heritage Collection to this year's Arlington EAA Fly-In," said Barbara Tolbert (pictured right), Northwest EAA Executive Director.

"These rare and beautifully restored airplanes will be a popular draw not only because of their significance to aviation history, but also because of the remarkable quality of the restorations that have taken place."

The Flying Heritage Collection includes a Vickers-Supermarine Ltd. Mk.VC Spitfire, built in England in 1940, Polikarpov I-16 Type 24 Rata, built in Russia in 1939, Curtiss Wright JN-4D Jenny, built in the U.S. in 1918, North American Aviation P-51D Mustang, built in the U.S. in 1945, Polikarpov U-2/PO-2, built in Russia in 1943, Curtiss Wright P-40C Tomahawk, built in the U.S. in 1941, Fiesler Fi-156-C2 Storch, built in Germany in 1943, Fiesler Fi-103/V-1 "Buzz Bomb," built in Germany in 1945, Fiesler Fi-103R Reichenburg, built in Germany in 1945, Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat, built in the U.S. in 1945,Boeing B-17E "Flying Fortress," built in the U.S. in 1942; in restoration, Nakajima Ki-43-1b Hayabusa, built in Japan in 1942,and a Nakajima 16M5-52 Zero-Sen, built in Japan in 1944, in unrestored condition.

The Arlington EAA Fly-in, now in its 37th year, is the premier sport aviation event of the west. More than 1,600 aircraft and 60,000 guests participate in the week long festival of aerial demonstrations, hands-on workshops, educational forums, aircraft judging and many other aviation oriented activities. The 2005 Arlington EAA Fly-In will be held July 6-10 at the Arlington Municipal Airport.

The Flying Heritage Collection mission is to collect, restore, fly and preserve combat aircraft and artifacts representing technological, ideological, political, and economic views of aerial conflict in the 20th century, with emphasis on World War II and the Cold War era. The collection is at the Arlington Airport, 17622 49th Place N.E. in Arlington. Reservations to view the collection may be made by calling 360-435-2172. Tours are available by reservation only.

FMI: www.nweaa.org, www.flyingheritage.com