Wings of Freedom Tour

[LakesRegionSpirit]

The P-51, -17 and B-24 returns to Laconia's airport from 9/23 - 9/25. See http://www.cfdn.org

Would anyone know when to expect the planes to fly in for initial arrival?

[Misty Blue]

This is a great display and a fitting tribute to our heroic airmen of WW2.

Check out "Aluminum Overcast" in the Aireal views section of the Photo Gallery for one of the coolest pictures that I have ever seen!

Misty Blue.

[Just Sold]

I had a very nice visit with one of the Collins Foundation Members last Friday. Quite an organization. This person has quite a collection in his office including some documents, signed photos and models. Worth the trip to see them in Laconia.

[ApS]

After attending the event—on the next day or two later—you can catch sight of the B-17 and B-24 bombers overhead, as they take passenger-flights over the Lakes Region. The B-24 is especially remarkable, as nearly 20,000 were built for the war effort, and only two (2) exist today! :eek:

Both have those "round" radial engines. It's not a particularly noisy engine, making a "chuff-chuff-chuff-chuff-chuff-chuff" sound. :look: Listen for that deep and distinctive radial engine sound overhead after the main event. :)

[NoRegrets]

They are in Sanford maine today Sept 22nd through Wednesday. They will fly to Laconia Wednesday afternoon and will be offering rides Thurdsay morning then have the planes on public display for the day and offer more rides in the late afternoon. Friday Morning they wil have rides and then fly to Manchester airport for the same process. They travel the country and Laconia is fortunate to get these rare war-birds here.
The flights are not free but they are tax deductible. If you want to take a ride of a lifetime or give a gift to an aging vet...call 800 568-8924

My father is a retired airforce vet (1952-1974). We gave him a gift of a ride in the B-17 3 years ago. To see him become emotional over what the planes represent is one of my greatest joys. He is now aflicted with alzhimers and we are going to bring him on the B-24 Sunday morning in Manchester. We have a 9 AM flight. I will post some pictures next week.

[Argie's Wife]

No Regrets - What a great story! Please post the pics of the flight. What a wonderful thing you're doing for your dad.

[Jonas Pilot]

It was an awe inspiring experience to see the P-51 Mustang "Betty Jane", the B-17 Flying Fortress, "Nine O Nine", and the B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft" land at the Laconia Airport. The all did a fly by before landing and then taxied to right in front of the terminal. The "War Birds" are there for another day. It's well worth the trip to see this flying living museum.

[LakesRegionSpirit]

The B-24 Liberator on final approach.

[Jonas Pilot]

You almost look like you were in another plane. Cool!

[LakesRegionSpirit]

The B-17 Flying Fortress

[Jonas Pilot]

It's amazing how the America's industrial machine, switched from making Fords and washing machines to war machines.

[RLW]

What is the writing on the sides of the plane. Are they names or particular flights that had been made?

[Jonas Pilot]

... they are sponsors. It cost a ton of money to tour these ships. I don't know if you get your name on the side if you take one of their flights ($425.00) or if it's for the real generous. The left sides of the planes are left with traditional symbols.

[VtSteve]

My dad was an AF pilot, flying missions out of England in a P51 Mustang. Ironically, it was the British that gave his squadron their first taste of a much better plane than they had been using, not to mention brand new gear.

[ApS]

There was low cloud cover over the lake yesterday—just like much of wartime Europe would have been sixty-some years ago. There was no mistaking their arrival in the Laconia area at 1:30-PM—by ear!

A factoid from my BIL:

Nazi anti-aircraft crews held their fire late in the WWII to allow 400 bombers to proceed with "Operation Manna", a food-drop over Amsterdam to relieve widespread starvation.

http://amsterdam.usconsulate.gov/past_events2008.html
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/food-heaven-saved-millions-dutch-0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Manna

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/t_images/manna.jpg

It's amazing how the America's industrial machine, switched from making Fords and washing machines to war machines.
And from sewing machines to 45-caliber pistols—and from typewriters to rifles!

At 6:20-AM on Thursday, it seems too early for a B-17 bomber flight, but there's that familiar sound again right now. :confused:

[mcdude]

Check out the story and photos in today's CITIZEN (http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090924/GJNEWS02/709249641/-1/CITIZEN)

[NoRegrets]

Thanks APS! The links go to the most incredible stories. It is virtually impossible to stop reading each subsequent link.

It is easy to see why we call the WWII american's the "Greatest Generation".

Are the missions connected to you in any way?

[Phantom]

We happen to live (literally) down the street from Collings .....

If you ever want another opportunity to see his other vintage aircraft up close (including Bi-Planes) --- every Father's Day week-end he runs an event at his home. And it is NOT your ordinary home!! He has a short grass runway, full hanger, and a museum of old vehicles (predominantly military) in his so-called basement. In addition, he seems to be a fan of collecting vintage mini-racers (I don't know what the term is for the small one man race cars is)


For those who are enthusiasts-- in his hanger he has/had an AT-6F "Texan" jet, Boeing PT-17 Stearman bi-plane, Lockheed T-33 " Shooting Star", Fiesler F1-156 Storch, Wright Model EX "Vin Fiz" bi-plane, and not to be left out an amazing all bamboo constructed Cessna VC-78 "Bamboo Bomber".

Due to FAA restrictions he does not have the B-17 or B-24 at his home, I believe he hangers those in Nashua.

I will attempt to attach a picture of the hanger interior -- if it fails I'll leave the post up

[Phantom]

Well my first picture post worked so here's a view of some of the cars in the hanger.... the race cars are on the other side and I don't have a good "pan" shot of them

[LakesRegionSpirit]

I've posted a photo gallery here:

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=5286187

Full Disclosure: This is my e-commerce site so prices are listed.

[Chickie]

Does anyone remember the plane, which was on display at the Laconia Airport during the late 1940’s? I believe it was a B-17 but I may be wrong on that. Scott & Williams, Inc. was instrumental in bringing it to Laconia after the war, and it was on display for several years thereafter and open to the public free of charge. As kids we often rode our bikes to the airport and “flew” many missions on that plane.

[ApS]

Thursday, after I heard the bomber in the air at 9:30-AM, a tree-trimmer arrived and climbed high in one of our trees. Hearing again the loud approach of the B-17, it finally came into view. I pointed it out to several family members on the ground, and to the trimmer's help. Not understanding the commotion, the trimmer took off his industrial-grade hearing protectors and loudly asked, "What's all the excitement?" :confused:

Up in the treetops, the bomber was partially hidden from his view, but the engines were making That Mighty Sound. Unfortunately, he had replaced his hearing protection immediately after asking the question and was looking in the wrong direction! :emb: :laugh:

(But finally got a glance). :look:

"...It is easy to see why we call the WWII american's the "Greatest Generation". Are the missions connected to you in any way...?"
1) I asked permission from my BIL to relate his personal background with "Operation Manna"—Manna being a biblical reference to "food from the sky":

Back then, he was a child standing on his Amsterdam rooftop with his mother watching the packages "fall like rain" through the overcast. (From bombers only 100' overhead! :eek: ) A big white "X" had been marked on the ground to protect the populace, but only appeared intermittantly through the overcast.

Until this week, he'd only casually mentioned this relief event until reading the full background in the B-17 book A Mighty Fortress, by Charles Alling. REVIEW (http://www.amazon.com/MIGHTY-FORTRESS-Lead-Bomber-Europe/product-reviews/1932033599). He handed the book to me (with me being a non-reader-type :rolleye2: ), and I promptly read it from cover to cover! :eek: :emb:

Footnote: After a brief stint in the Dutch army, my BIL became a naturalized American citizen and one of this country's :patriot: most-patriotic :patriot: supporters—denouncing Holland's Socialism at every opportunity—and the National-Socialists (Nazis), of course.

He and his brothers placed rocks in the treads of Nazi tanks and, for heating their home, "liberated" wood planks from Nazi barracks buildings. His youngest brother—just an infant—was raised gradually higher in his baby carriage by the collection of wood.

Did I mention that he's one of this country's :patriot: most-patriotic :patriot: supporters? :confused: :laugh:

2) As to family-connections with bombers, my Dad was stationed in the Pacific with a PBY night-bombing squadron—"VP-11". (The British had nicknamed the PBY the "Catalina").

He wears a worn-out "VP-11" ballcap given him years ago. If you see him in Center Harbor's "Sam and Rosie's" restaurant—or the "Moultonborough Diner"—or nearly anywhere else in Wolfeboro, please say, "Thank you for your service". :)

(At that time you could also ask him how to explain how he nearly changed the course of the war by pummelling Admiral William "Bull" Halsey). :eek:

As a "Black-Cat" PBY pilot, the Navy gave him five new consecutive PBYs—with depth-charges, two Mark XIII torpedoes or four 500 or 1000 pound bombs, and 50-cal anti-aircraft guns for night-time attacks (http://www.fortunecity.com/millenium/redwood/372/links.html)—each plane with a 3000-mile range! :eek2:

VP-11 was also tasked with dangerous rescue missions (http://www.brooksart.com/FlightHell.jpg).

It took a lifetime of skilful commercial and civil piloting on my Dad's part to live in Wolfeboro today, but the enemy did manage to shoot him down five times within two years back then!

One of his "Black Cat" colleague-pilots was given a public "reprimand"—not for his nighttime shooting-up an enemy cruiser from astern—but for damaging (somewhat) a Government aircraft.... :confused: ...That pilot had landed safely, having retrieved an enemy communications antenna from the enemy's cruiser at the same time—using a Navy PBY wingtip!

(An Admiral's tongue-in-cheek awards ceremony). :) ;)

[NoRegrets]

Thanks for the reply APS. It is inspiring to know the heroes walk among us.
I am glad that your BIL is here and his story has made it to the forum through your generosity!

I saw the planes at Laconia and went to Manchester Saturday and planned to take my father up on Sunday. We were not able to fly due to a low ceiling so we are going to Worcester for a Tuesday evening flight.

I was also amazed and thrilled that there were a few WWII flight retirees at the airport telling their story and experiences. One was "Smitty" who was the ball gunner for the B-17. He was on the "Spirit of Winnsome II" that was shot down and he became a POW. He lost his right arm in the battle.
The thread you published and other internet stories are truly amazing. It is great that the Collins Foundation can keep these aircraft in the air for us to see.

[NoBozo]

What is the writing on the sides of the plane. Are they names or particular flights that had been made?

The writing on the plane are the names of Donors who contribute..this was probably 10 years ago..about $2500 to the foundation. An aquaintence of mine who also happened to have been a B-24 Pilot during the war, has his name on the side of what was then named All American which has since been renamed "Witchcraft" in 2005. NB

http://warbirdregistry.org/b24registry/b24registry.html

[NoRegrets]

There are also many squadren tributes to the actual airmen that have flown on the Collins Foundation planes with their names and units from WWII.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

This weeks Weirs Times has an article about the Wings of Freedom Tour (http://www.weirs.com/archivepdfs/wtimes100109.pdf).

[CrawfordCentury]

Thanks for the reply APS. It is inspiring to know the heroes walk among us.
I am glad that your BIL is here and his story has made it to the forum through your generosity!

I saw the planes at Laconia and went to Manchester Saturday and planned to take my father up on Sunday. We were not able to fly due to a low ceiling so we are going to Worcester for a Tuesday evening flight.

I was also amazed and thrilled that there were a few WWII flight retirees at the airport telling their story and experiences. One was "Smitty" who was the ball gunner for the B-17. He was on the "Spirit of Winnsome II" that was shot down and he became a POW. He lost his right arm in the battle.
The thread you published and other internet stories are truly amazing. It is great that the Collins Foundation can keep these aircraft in the air for us to see.

I met Luther Smith - Smitty - back last winter. He and another member of his crew shared their experiences at the Wright WWII Museum in Wolfeboro during one of their winter Sunday lectures. He volunteers there every Friday until the museum closes at the end of Oct. he mentioned. He taught me how to read a flak map using one from the Mighty Eighth that's on display there.

Not to diminish what the Marines landing on the beaches of Tarawa or the D-Day soldiers went through, but boy, there were some serious risks that those fliers took back in the day.

[ApS]

It doesn't appear to be the same B-17 as at Laconia, but a B-17 was lost to fire on the ground yesterday. The passengers and crew are safe.

"The takeoff of both aircraft was uneventful and proceeded on-course southeast. Prior to exiting Aurora’s airport traffic area, the B-17 crew and passengers began investigating an acrid smell and started a turn back to the airport. Almost immediately thereafter, Cullen spotted flames coming from the left wing and reported over the radio that they were on fire.

"As all pilots know, there are few emergency situations that are more critical than having an in-flight fire. While an in-flight fire is extremely rare, it can (and sometimes does) indiscriminately affect aircraft of any age or type. In-flight fires have led to the loss of not only aircraft, but often can result in catastrophic loss of life. It requires an immediate action on the flight crew, as the integrity of aircraft structure, systems and critical components are in question.

"Directly below the B-17 was a farmer’s field and the decision was made to land immediately. Approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds from the radio report of the fire, the B-17 was down safely on the field. Within that 1:40 time frame, the crew shutdown and feathered the number 2 engine, activated the engine’s fire suppression system, lowered the landing gear and performed an on-speed landing. Bringing the B-17 to a quick stop, the crew and passengers quickly and safely exited the aircraft. Overhead in the T-6, Cullen professionally coordinated and directed the firefighting equipment which was dispatched by Aurora Tower to the landing location.

Unlike the sensational photos that you have all seen of the completely burned B-17 on the news, you will see from photos taken by our crew that our Liberty Belle was undamaged by the forced landing and at the time of landing, the wing fire damage was relatively small. The crew actually unloaded bags, then had the horrible task of watching the aircraft slowly burn while waiting for the fire trucks to arrive...Hopefully, this will not be the end of the story, but a new beginning."

http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/files/2011/06/b17crash.jpg