'Wings of Freedom’ returns to Morristown airport

HANOVER – World War II planes are landing at Morristown Airport this week as the national Wings of Freedom tour returns to town for three days.

The four 70-plus-year-old planes - a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine,” a B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft, ” a B-25 Mitchell “Tondelayo,”and a North American P-51 Mustang, “Betty Jane” - will arrive at the Morristown airport at noon Tuesday.

The planes are owned and operated by the Collings Foundation, a nonprofit educational foundation devoted to organizing "living history" events that allow people to learn more about their heritage and history.

The traveling World War II flying history event has stopped at the Morristown Airport the past few years as part of an annual 110-city nationwide tour that is currently in its 26th year. Last year’s Morris County event was cut short due to weather.

The B-17 is one of only eight in flying condition in the country, and the B-24 and P-51 are the only ones of their kind still in flying condition in the world.

Billed by the Collings Foundation as 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 aircraft tell part of the story of World War II.

The B-17, B-24 and B-25 bombers were known for their ability to sustain damage and still fly and bring their crews home safely. The P-51 is considered to have been the best fighter plane of the war and saved countless bomber crews from attacking axis fighters.

Ground tours are from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

All are invited to explore the planes inside and out — particularly veterans, who can attend for free. Local veterans are encouraged to share their experiences and stories at the tour.

The tour of the planes costs $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12.

People can also take a 30-minute flight in one of the aircraft. It costs $450 per person to ride in either the B-17 or B-24, and $2,200 for the P-51. An hour in the P-51 is $3,200.

Go to http://www.collingsfoundation.org/cf_schedule-wof.htm to learn more.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com

If you go:

Wings of Freedom Tour

What: An opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about three World War II aircrafts

Where: Morristown Municipal Airport, Signature Flight Support at 1 Airport Road

When: Sept. 8 through 10. Ground tours are from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. 30-minute flights are scheduled before and after the ground tours.

Cost: $12 for adults, $6 for children under 12 to tour the planes; veterans are free. Flights on the B-17 and B-24 cost $425 per person. Flights, including "stick time," in the P-51 are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for an hour.

Contact: Call 800-568-8924 for reservations or more information