Tour (or fly on) a WWII B-24 Liberator, B-17 Flying Fortress at annual event, Oct. 3-6, 2019

The Wings of Freedom tour is returning to Westchester County Airport, Oct. 3-6

The annual event allows spectators an opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about some unique and rare aircraft, including 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 Warhawk "Jaws" fighters.

All the planes will arrive at the airport at 2 p.m. on Oct. 3 and will be on display until the aircraft depart after operations on Oct. 6. There are also 30-minute flight experiences available.

The next stop on the tour is the Morristown Municipal Airport, in Morristown, New Jersey, Oct. 7-10.

About the planes:

• The B-17 is one of only nine in flying condition in the United States.
• The B-24J Liberator is the sole remaining example of its type flying in the World. The B-25 is best known for being used in the daring Doolittle raid.
• The P-51 Mustang was awarded the prestigious Grand Champion award for restoration.
• New to the tour is the P-40 Warhawk, well known for being a part of the Flying Tigers.

The tour, which is in its 30th year, visits an average of 110 cities each year. It is put on by the nonprofit Collings Foundation, which is devoted to organizing “living history” events that allow people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation. 

If you go

What: WWII Wings of Freedom tour. Visitors can explore the aircraft inside and out and schedule an in-flight experience.

Where: Westchester County Airport, Route 120 entrance, Purchase

When: Oct. 3-6. Hours of ground tours and display are Oct. 3: 2-4:30 p.m.; Oct. 4-6: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Where: Morristown Municipal Airport, 1 Airport Road, Morristown, New Jersey.

When: Oct. 7-10; Hour are are Oct. 7 noon-4:30 p.m.; Oct. 8, 9: 9:30-4:30 p.m., Oct. 10, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Check website for price of flight experience on the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, and B-25 Mitchell

Tickets: $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft.

For a 30-minute flight on either the B-17 or B-24, tickets are $450 per person. B-25 flights are $400 per person Get some “stick time” in the world’s greatest fighters! 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.

For more info:  For reservations and information on flight experiences call 800-568-8924 or go to www.collingsfoundation.org.