PORT ANGELES — The B-24 Liberator may arrive today, if the weather permits, to join two other restored World War II-era planes at the William R. Fairchild Memorial Airport for the last day of the Wings of Freedom living history exhibit tour stop.
The B-24, which had a new engine installed in Klamath Falls, Ore., was expected to arrive Tuesday, but testing wasn’t completed, said Alan Barnard, Port Angeles stop coordinator.
Weather break
Wednesday’s weather did not allow the flight, he said.
“They’re not coming up tonight,” he said Wednesday afternoon.
“Tomorrow, it’s anybody’s guess.
“I was told this morning that it’s ready to fly. They are just waiting for the weather to break.”
The exhibit will run through today, with public tours aboard the heavy bombers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The planes will leave Port Angeles early Friday morning, Barnard said.
Cost of the public tours is $12 for adults and $6 for children 11 years and younger. World War II veterans can tour the aircraft at no cost.
Reservations are not required to explore the planes at the airport’s eastern general aviation ramp.
By Wednesday, more than 500 people had toured a B-17 Flying Fortress and P-51 Mustang since Monday, when the two iconic war birds landed in Port Angeles for the Collings Foundation’s showcase on the North Olympic Peninsula, said Hunter Chaney, marketing director for the foundation based in Stow, Mass.
“We’ve had a great reception, a wonderful stay up there,” he said.
Four B-17 bomber flights — costing $425 per person — had been done and “a couple” of P-51 flights had been reserved, Chaney said.
Flights aboard the P-51 are being offered for $2,200 for a half-hour or $3,200 for an hour.
“Stick time” is offered in the dual-control Mustang.
Chaney complimented Barnard for his organizational efforts.
“We have a wonderful stop organizer, which really hits the core of how we’re able to do this,” he said.
‘The true reason’
Such volunteers “are the true reason why we’re able to keep these planes flying,” Chaney said.
Phone the Collings Foundation at 800-568-8924 for reservations to fly aboard the planes. Flight fees are tax-deductible.
“We’re an educational foundation,” Chaney said.
“These planes act as an excellent vehicle to teach people about history.”
For more information about Wings of Freedom, visit www.collingsfoundation.org.
