Wings of Freedom Tour coming to Palestine

By CHERIL VERNON Palestine Herald-Press

PALESTINE — The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour is coming to Palestine in March, offering a rare look at World War II and aviation history.

The event is sponsored by the Veterans Historic Education Center and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Unit 63 of Palestine as a way of celebrating and educating the story of the veterans of World War II.

Participating in the 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 “Betty Jane” will fly in to the Palestine Municipal Airport for a visit from March 8-10.

“It’s in the mission statement of the Veterans Historic Education Center to provide these kinds of events to give people a hands-on experience and learn a little about the aircraft and those who served on them,” spokeswoman Anne Coleman said. “As a pilot or crew member and even a soldier on the ground, the very sound of these aircraft brought a sign of relief to many and utter terror to others, but they had a job to do and they did it well.”

The B-17 is one of only nine 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, according to the foundation.

This will be the second time the planes have come to Palestine.

“The first tour opportunity was arranged in a very short time and the weather didn’t cooperate but we had a nice turnout. These aircraft have a life of their own and I can understand why the boys became personally attached to them,” Coleman said.

Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out. A $12 donation for adults and a $6 donation for children under 12 is requested for access to upclose viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft.

Visitors also may experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a 30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $425 per person. 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 1-800-568-8924.

The Wings of Freedom Tour will arrive at the Palestine Municipal Airport at 2 p.m. March 8 and will be on display at General Aviation Ramp at the airport until the aircraft departs at noon March 10.

Hours of ground tours and displays are: 2 a.m.  to 4:30 p.m. March 8; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 9; and 9 a.m. to noon March 10.

The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times above.

“We hope the schools in the area will allow their students a glimpse into the past and to experience the real thing,” Coleman said.

The Collings Foundation is a non-profit educational foundation devoted to organizing “living history” events that allow people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation. The nationwide Wings of Freedom Tour is in its 21st year and visits an average of 110 cities in more than 35 states annually. Since its start, tens of millions of people have seen the B-17, B-24 and P-51 display at various locations.

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 and B-24 were the backbone of the American effort during the 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 raw aluminum to rebuild a nation in post-war prosperity and therefore very few were spared. The rarity of the B-17, B-24 and P-51 — and their importance to telling the story of World War II is why the Collings Foundation continues to fly and display the aircraft nationwide.

At each location, the foundation encourages local veterans and their families to visit and share their experiences and stories with the public. For aviation enthusiasts, the tour provides an opportunity for the museum to come to the visitor.

“We have a local ‘Rosie the Riveter’ in Edna Simpson from Elkhart who visited last year with her son and got great pictures. She worked on both bombers,” Coleman said about local participation from veterans. “I don’t know of a World War II veteran that wouldn’t want to spend time with the aircraft. Some of them just want to be in their presence and sit and think.”

Veteran Arnold Nass will be flying in from Tyler, Coleman said. His aircraft was the “Sweetest Rose of Texas,” a B-24 bomber. 

More than anything, the living history display is a reminder of the World War II soldiers who served our country.

“We’re losing these World War II soldiers — about 1,500 a day in this country,” Coleman said. “If you have the opportunity, shake their hand and tell them ‘thank you’ for their service. They earned it.”

For more information about the Wings of Freedom tour, visit www.collingsfoundation.org

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Cheril Vernon may be contacted via e-mail at community@palestineherald.com