Collings Foundation – Wings of Freedom Tour

The St. Augustine Airport will be the site for The Wings of Freedom Tour of the WWII Vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator and North American P-51 Mustang from November 7th through November 9th according to an announcement received by Historic City News on yesterday.

The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour brings extremely rare bomber and fighter aircraft to St. Augustine for local living history display as Part of a 110-city nationwide tour.

WHAT: Participating in the Collings Foundation’s 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, will fly into St Augustine Airport in St. Augustine, FL for a visit from November 7 to November 9.

Local citizens will have the opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history. The B-17 is one of only 9 in flying condition in the United States, and the B-24J and Dual Control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the World.

Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out – $12 donation for adults and $6 donation for children under 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft.

Visitors may also experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually take a 30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft. Flight experiences are a tax-deductible donation. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $425 per person. Flights on the B-25 are $400 for the front fuselage and $325 for the waist gun section of the plane. 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 800-568-8924.

WHERE: The WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR will be on display at St Augustine Airport in St. Augustine located at Galaxy Aviation 4900 U.S. 1 North.

WHEN: The WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR will arrive at St Augustine Airport at 2:00 PM on November 7 and will be on display at Galaxy Aviation at the St Augustine Airport until the aircraft departs November 9 at 12:00 PM. Hours of ground tours and display are: 2:00 PM through 4:00 PM on Friday, November 7; 9:00 AM through 4:00 PM on Saturday, November 8; 9:00 AM through 12:00 PM on Sunday, November 9. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times above.

WHO: The Collings Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation devoted to organizing “living history” events that allows people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation. The Nationwide WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR is in its 19th year and visits an average of 110 cities in over 35 states annually. Since its start, tens of millions of people have seen the B-17, B-24 & P-51 display at locations everywhere. The WINGS OF FREEDOM tour is one of the most extraordinary and unique interactive traveling historical displays of its kind.

WHY: The WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR travels the nation 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 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 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-24, & 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 we 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.