The Wings of Freedom Tour will arrive at the Laughlin/Bullhead City International Airport, located on the ramp at Signature Flight Support, 2550 Laughlin View Drive, Building 40 at noon on Monday, April 8 and will be on display until the aircraft departs after noon operations, Thursday, April 11. Hours of ground tours and display are: noon to 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 8, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on both Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 and 10 and 9:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 11. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times above.
Participating in the Collings Foundation’s Wings
of Freedom Tour will be B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine,” B-24
Liberator “Witchcraft,” B-25 Mitchell “Tondelayo” bombers, P-51
Mustang “Toulouse Nuts” and P-40 Warhawk “Jaws” fighters.
This is a rare opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of WWII aviation history. The B-17 is one of only nine in flying condition in the United States. The B-24J Liberator is the sole remaining example of its type flying in the World. The B-25 is best known for being used in the daring Doolittle raid. The P-51 “Toulouse Nuts” fighter received the prestigious Grand Champion Award for restoration. New to the tour is the legendary P-40 Warhawk fighter well know for serving with the Flying Tigers. Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out – $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft. Discounted rates for school groups.
Visitors may also experience
the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually take a
30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft. Flights on either
the B-17 or B-24 are $450 per person. Get some “stick time” in the world’s
greatest fighters! P-51 flight training is $2,400 for a half hour and $3,400
for a full hour. P-40 Warhawk flight training is $2,200 for a half hour and
$3,200 for a full hour. B-25 flights are $400 per person. For reservations and
information on flight experiences call 800-568-8924.
The Wings of Freedom Tour travels
the nation as 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, B-25 & 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, B-25s 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-25, B-24, P-40
& 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 they 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 or
800-568-8924.
