WINGS OF HISTORY TOUR
Salutes Veterans, Educates Students, Offers Flight ExperiencesPetaluma Municipal Airport, June 1, 2 & 3
Have you ever watched W.W. II movies with the American bombers flying harrowing missions, fending off relentless attacks of enemy fighters, then surviving the flak on the way to their targets. Instead of just imagining what it was like, you can actually take a historic flight in either a B-17 Flying Fortress or a B-24 Liberator when they come to Petaluma Municipal Airport on June 1 around 3:00 PM. "Dawn & Dusk Patrols" on June 2 and 3 are being offered to contributors to the Collings Foundation. The fl ight provides the 7 crewman the sights, sounds, smells, and excitement of a historic mission, although the chances of encountering enemy fighters will be slim. For flight experience information, call 415-721-7520.
For those adventurous but just as curious as to what it is like inside these famous W.W. II aircraft, a small donation of $7.00 for adults ($3.00 for children under 12 yrs.) will allow you to tour through both aircraft to see what each crew position look ed like. The bombers will be on display at Petaluma Municipal Airport from 3PM to 6PM on June 1, 8:30 AM to 6PM on June 2, and 8:30 AM until departure at 2 PM June 3.
Veterans will be available at the planes to answer questions, and to tell about their experiences. They are also available to go into the schools to offer a perspective on what is perhaps the most important event in history. "It is wise to remember that it was hatred, intolerance and greed that led to a World War in which 55 million people lost their lives," says Kent Carlomango, stop organizer. We should never forget that the freedom we sometimes take for granted came at a tremendous price, and we must learn this lesson of history."
The B-17 and B-24 bombers made up the brunt of American Strategic Bombing Force in W.W. II, and were produced in the thousands, yet only a handful of these magnificent aircraft still exist today. The Collings B-24 "All American" is the remaining, fully- restored, and flying B-24 in the world. The B-17G "Nine-O-Nine" is one of approximately 10 B-17's left flying in the world. These rare aircraft are "Flying Museums", offering a unique glimpse into aviation history.