Wings of Freedom Tour this weekend at airport

Friday, 10 September 2010 00:00

The Wings of Freedom Tour, sponsored by the Collings Foundation, is coming to the Waterbury-Oxford Airport from Friday, Sept. 10, through Monday, Sept. 13. The tour features the World War II Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, the North and the P-51 Mustang.

All World War II veterans are invited to attend, without admission charge, and are asked to bring their military service memorabilia. Veterans who served as air crew members on World War II combat aircraft are asked to bring maps, photos and items that were used during combat missions.

It is expected that several prisoners of war veterans will be on hand to describe their experience of parachuting out of their damaged aircraft and internment in POW camps. Air crew veterans are asked to call Walter Hushak, 860-276-0749 indicating their interest to participate.

A $12 donation is requested for adults and $6 for children under 12 for the walk-through tour. Thirty-minute flights aboard the aircraft are also available. The cost is a $425 tax-deductible contribution per person per flight for a ride on the B-17 or B-24. Flights on the P-51 for 30 minutes or a full hour are also available. For flight reservations, call 800-568-8924.

Hours are from 2 to 5 on Sept. 10; 10 to 5 on Sept. 11 and 12; and 10 to noon on Sept. 13. For more information, call 860-276-0749 or go to www.collingsfoundation.org.

The airport is located at Keystone Aviation Services, 288 Christian Street in Oxford.