Display showcases historic aircraft of World War II
A B-24 Liberator, B-17 Flying Fortress and P-51 Mustang fly in formation. (Photo courtesy of The Collings Foundation)
Aeronautical history comes alive at the Glacier Park International Airport next week as the Wings of Freedom Tour touches down July 3 through July 5. Featuring World War II era planes, the tour provides an opportunity to get up close and learn more about these unique aircraft.
“We’re pleased to provide a venue for the Wings of Freedom Tour,” Airport Director Rob Ratkowski said in a press release. “These rare planes bring a rich part of aviation history to residents and visitors of the Flathead Valley.”
Presented by the Collings Foundation, the tour travels across the nation in honor of the freedom these aircraft helped preserve during World War II. The tour is celebrating more than 30 years of historical outreach, and will visit more than 100 cities. Aircraft available at the tour include fighters 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.”
Visitors are invited to explore the exterior and interior of these historical aircrafts. The fee is $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Ground tours are available from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 3; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, July 4; and 9:30 a.m. to noon Friday, July 5.
The Wings of Freedom Tour will be held at the ramp at Gate 7, which can be accessed a half-mile north of the Glacier Park International Airport entrance on U.S. 2. Parking will be available at Gate 7.
Personal flights in the B-17 and B-24 are available, with pricing at $450 per person for a 30-minute ride in a B-17 or B-24; and $400 per person for a B-25 flight. P-51 flight training is $2,400 for a half-hour and $3,400 for full hour. P-40 flight training is $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour. Proceeds go directly into the continued operation of these historic aircraft. For further information about pricing call 800-568-8924. The Collings Foundation is a nonprofit educational foundation founded in 1979 to organize and support “living history” events and the preservation, exhibition and interaction of historical artifacts that enable Americans to learn more about their heritage through direct participation. The original focus of the foundation was transportation-related events such as antique car rallies, hill climbs, carriage and sleigh rides, and a winter ice-cutting festival. During the mid-1980s, these activities were broadened to include aviation-related events such as air shows, barnstorming, historical reunions, and joint museum displays on a nationwide level.
The Wings of Freedom Tour has been showcasing World War II aircraft since 1989.
For more information on the Wings of Freedom Tour, contact Hunter Chaney with the Collings Foundation at 978-562-9182.