For Immediate Release
If the Indianapolis Air Show weekend just isn’t enough excitement for you, how about a historic preview?
The Wings of Freedom Tour of the WWII Vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator, North American B-25 Mitchell and North American P-51 Mustang Announce Unique Display in Mount Comfort at Mount Comfort Airport from August 1 to August 4
The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour Brings Extremely Rare Bomber
and Fighter Aircraft for Local Living History Display as Part of 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, North American B-25 Mitchell WWII Medium Bomber and P-51 Mustang, will fly into Mount Comfort Airport in Mount Comfort, IN for a visit from August 1 to August 4. 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, the B-24J and Dual Control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the World, and the B-25 is one of only a handful in flying condition. 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 Mount Comfort Airport
in Mount Comfort, located at 3867 N. Aviation Way. (KMQJ, Indiana)
WHEN: The WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR will arrive at Mount Comfort Airport at 2:00
PM on August 1 and will be on display at Mount Comfort Airport at Mount
Comfort Airport until the aircraft departs August 4 at 12:00 PM. Hours of
ground tours and display are: 2:00 PM through 5:00 PM on Friday, August 1;
9:30 AM through 5:00 PM on Saturday, August 2; 9:30 AM through 5:00 PM on
Sunday, August 3; 9:30 AM through 12:00 PM on Monday, August 4. 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 & B-25 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, B-24 & B-25 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-24s, and B-25s 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, B-25 & 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 http://www.collingsfoundation.org/ .
For further information e-mail Hunter Chaney, Director of Marketing:
hchaney@collingsfoundation.org
Media Site: visit: http://www.collingsfoundation.org/media for further
detailed information on the aircraft, Collings Foundation, and the tour as
well as high-resolution photos for download.
Hunter Chaney
Director of Marketing
Collings Foundation
978.562.9182
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