Collings Foundation Wings Of Freedom Tour Heading To SC

The Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour is headed for Greenville Downtown Airport in Greenville SC October 23-25.

The tour features three rare aircraft: the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine O Nine" heavy bomber, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft" heavy bomber and the North American P-51 Mustang fighter.

“The B-24 is the last one of its type that's still airworthy. These are literally flying pieces of history," said Collings Foundation spokesman Hunter Chaney. "The level of care that goes into maintaining them is world renowned. When you see the planes, they run beautifully and they are in great shape."
 
"When it comes to engaging people in World War II history, there's nothing quite as memorable or engaging as flying or touring through a World War II aircraft," Chaney said. "It's really like an interactive flying memorial for our World War II veterans."

"Almost every year that the Collings Foundation’s WW II aircraft came to the Greenville Downtown Airport in South Carolina, Hugh Brown, along with his lifelong friend, Bucky Smart, came out to see them. The last few years, they were brought by their children, because they could no longer drive. Wearing their WW II hats, they came not just one day of the aircraft's three day visit, but most days that they were here," stated Hank Brown, Owner of Greenville Jet Center and Hugh Brown's nephew. "They were able to see and visit with others, who like themselves had made it well into their nineties; some of the few veterans who are still left that have had similar life experiences that include memories of WW II. They also enjoyed having the general public ask them about their tour of duty and were moved when people thanked them for their service," Brown added.  The aircraft they loved to see are coming again this year, but Hugh will not be there (he passed away earlier this year).

“The B-24 is the last one of its type that's still airworthy. These are literally flying pieces of history," said Collings Foundation spokesman Hunter Chaney. "The level of care that goes into maintaining them is world renowned. When you see the planes, they run beautifully and they are in great shape."

Walk through tours of the aircraft are $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. WW II Veterans are admitted to the ground tours at no charge. B-17 or B-24 flights are $450; P-51 flights are $2,200 - $3,200, depending on the length of flight purchased. Flights generally take place before and after ground tour times, but the P-51 often flies during the ground tours.

(Top image provided by Greenville Downtown Airport. Bottom image provided by the Collings foundation)

FMI: www.collingsfoundation.org