Spring Break
Bombers, fighters take flight
Amber Arnold Junior Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: MULTIMEDIA
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
The sound of the engine starts, and the four propellers turn, slowly at first and then faster as the B-17 Flying Fortress prepares for takeoff.
The World War II bomber took off yesterday at the Denton Municipal Airport as part of the nationwide Wings of Freedom Tour.
The B-17, the B-24 Liberator and the P-51 Mustang are all actual planes used during World War II and are on display for the public to explore as part of the tour hosted by the Collings Foundation.
All three planes were restored, down to the paint jobs on the sides of the aircrafts matching the originals.
"Most people only see these displayed in museums," said the tour's flight engineer, Christie Wolff. "The biggest satisfaction comes from honoring World War II vets and their history."
It is common for veterans to come out to the tour locations to reminisce about experiences in similar planes during the war, Wolff said.
All the planes on display were instrumental in Allied victory, said NT's radiation safety officer, Tom Harrison, who is also acting as the tour's site coordinator.
The armed forces used the P-51, B-17 and the B-24 in unison during the war to minimize civilian casualties and bring crewmembers home safely, said Harrison, who has also piloted the planes.
The P-51 was an escort plane able to give the B-17 and B-24 bombers protection all the way from England to Berlin.
"Without the work of these three planes, the victory during World War II may not have been possible," Harrison said.
The Collings Foundation, established in 1979, seeks to educate visitors about World War II.
Visitors to the Wings of Freedom Tour are encouraged to climb inside the aircrafts to get an up-close and personal experience that they couldn't normally get from aircraft displays at museums.
Guests to the tour can also pay $425 to be taken up in one of the three planes for 30 minutes.
The tour also provides flight training in the P-51 Mustang for $2,300 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour in the air.
The tour will leave Denton today, but will continue on to Arlington and Dallas until April 2 and April 12, respectively.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Shaina Zucker
posted 4/12/09 @ 5:32 PM CST
Arash! Your video was absolutely amazing! And Christina, your pictures are beautiful! Great work you guys! You should be proud. :)
Shaina Zucker
Assigning Editor
Arash Sahba
posted 4/13/09 @ 12:31 AM CST
I need to reedit it. The second interview was awkward, he seemed to almost contradict the whole WWII thing (sort of). Also the text color and placement was bad. (Continued…)
Post a Comment