PORT ANGELES — The Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour will arrive at the Fairchild International Airport on Wednesday for three days of tours and rides.
The visit will be the ninth over the past 17 years at the airport at 1402 Fairchild Airport Road, off West Lauridsen Blvd.
Flying in will be the B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine,” B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft,” B-25 Mitchell “Tondelayo” bombers, and P-51 Mustang “Toulouse Nuts” and p-40 Warhawl “Jaws” fighters.
The WW II vintage planes will be at the airport from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon Friday.
Walk-through tours will be $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger.
Flights cost $400 in the B-25 and $450 in the B-17 and B-24. P-51 flight training is $2,400 for a half hour and $3,400 for a full hour. P-40 flight training is $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour.
Proceeds go to the continuing operation of the aircraft by the nonprofit Collings Foundation.
Especially honored during the visit will be members of the American Legion Riders “for the good work they do in support of their fellow veterans and their families,” said Alan Barnard, Collings Foundation stop coordinator,
Six or more American Legion Riders or their designees will fly for free aboard the B-17 during the complimentary VIP flight, said Barnard, who is also an American Legion Rider.
“Each visit, I develop an emphasis or story line in an effort to connect these magnificent aircraft with their human stories of veterans from WWII through current service and to link them with younger people in our county to learn the ‘cost of freedom’ and the sacrifices made before them,” Barnard said.
”The theory is knowing what incredible human deeds that came before to secure the freedom we enjoy in our society will encourage younger folks growing up and making their way in the world to cherish what we have and work to protect it.”
The Legion Riders were formed in 1993 in Garden City, Mich., by two members of Legion Post 396 to “share a common love for motorcycles.”
The local American Legion Riders chapter, part of the American Legion local Post 29 in Port Angeles, is one of 2,000 chapters through the U.S. and three foreign countries, numbering over 110,000 members.
Local Riders participate in county parades, patriotic events and fundraising events and also provide the Flag Line as part of military honors for the families of veterans who have died in Clallam County.
They also provide the Flag Line as part of the full military honors for the bell-ringing ceremony on the last Friday of each month at Veterans Memorial Park in Port Angeles.
In addition the Rider’s support Captain Joseph House, the 9/11 Memorial annual ceremonies and Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Park. They also sponsor a T Ball team.
