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World War II Bomber and Fighter Aircraft Rides at Museum of Flight

The Museum’s ramp will rumble with the “Wings of Freedom Tour” B-17, B-24, B-25 and P-51 war birds

SEATTLE – The steady rumble of World War II airplanes will resonate at The Museum of Flight June 23-25, while a group of four rare and historic aircraft is based here for public rides and tours. Ground tours and flights will be available in the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24J Liberator and B-25 Mitchell bombers, and a dual-control TP-51D Mustang fighter aircraft. The planes are on the national “Wings of Freedom Tour” sponsored by the non-profit Collings Foundation, and even casual visitors to the Museum will be able to experience sights and sounds connecting them to aviation of 70 years ago.

Ground tours are free for World War II veterans.

The aircraft will be stationed on the Museum’s tarmac at Boeing Field. Tours and rides are available Friday, June 23, from 2 to 5 p.m., and June 24-25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flights are available on each airplane. For information on flight reservations and costs, call 978-562-9182 or visit http://www.collingsfoundation.org/cf_flightexperiences.htm

Why These Planes Are Special
The Collings’ two-seat, dual-control Mustang is one of three original TF-51Ds remaining in the world. After four years of restoration ending last year, the fighter is painted in its original markings as a West Virginia Air Guard, 167th Fighter Squadron P-51 called “Toulouse Nuts.” The Mustang was also awarded Grand Champion at the 2016 Oshkosh AirVenture. The Foundation’s B-24J is the only one of its kind still flying. The Boeing B-17 is one of only about a dozen still flying.

For Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org

Image: (bottom to top) TF-51D, B-24J, B-17 and B-25 of the Collings Foundation.