Three Rare World War II Planes Scheduled to Arrive in Greenville

On Friday, October 18th, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” WWII Heavy Bomber and P-51 Mustang Fighter, which are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the World, will arrive at the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU), along with the vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress ”Nine O Nine."  These planes, which are part of the “Wings of Freedom Tour”, will depart on Sunday, October 20th.

"These historic planes are quite rare and we are lucky that they have chosen to come to Greenville,” stated Tim Bishop, Director of Museum Development for the Upcountry History Museum.  "During WWII, Greenville Army Airbase (now SCTAC)  was a training center for B-24 and B-25 aircraft and it will be an exciting opportunity to see a B-24 flying over Greenville again,” added Bishop.
The B-17 and B-24 were the backbone of the American effort during the war from 1942 to 1945 and were famous for their ability to sustain damage and still accomplish the mission.  Despite the risks of anti-aircraft fire, attacking enemy fighters and the harrowing environment of sub-zero temperatures, many B-17s and B-24s safely brought their crews home.

After the war, many aircraft were scrapped for their raw aluminum to help rebuild a nation in post-war prosperity.  Therefore, very few were spared.  The rarity of the B-17 and B-24 and their importance to telling the story of WWII is why the Collings Foundation continues to fly and display the aircraft nationwide.  For aviation enthusiasts, the tour brings the museum to the visitor and not the other way around!

“We were fortunate that they had an unexpected schedule opening and offered it to us.  We are trying to get the word out, far and wide, as quickly as possible.  In the past, when people have heard of these type visits after the fact, they were really sad that they missed seeing them in person,” said Joe Frasher, GMU's Airport Director.  "Over the course of three days, about 2,100 people came out to see the planes the last time we were in Greenville.  We really feel it's a great stop so we have it on a list of cities to possibly visit when coming through that area.  We had a cancelation on the East Coast, we wanted to visit Greenville again and the airport was able to host us on short notice," according to Ken Miles, Director of Operations for the Collings Foundation.  "It has all worked out great and we are looking forward to flying into, and over, the Upstate of S.C. again very soon,"  Miles added.

The “Wings of Freedom Tour” travels the nation 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.  

“This visit is especially important because our WWII vets are getting well into their 90s, so time is of the essence if we want them to be able to see these planes that were so important to their service,” stated Paul Howell, Director of Honor Flight Upstate South Carolina.  “Our mission is to honor and support these heroes by offering a program that flies our World War II veterans to Washington, DC to see the memorial built in their honor, and to experience recognition for their service that literally saved the world.  Now we have the opportunity to bring a bit of their history to our community AND them.  I know our local veterans and the whole community will love seeing these historic flying machines so close to home,” Howell said.

“The Collings Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that exists solely to keep these planes flying.  Parts are expensive because they are hard to find or make.  It cost about $4,000 an hour just to operate the planes,” stated Hunter Chaney, Marketing Director of the Collings Foundation.  “The donations for ground tours and flights enable us to keep these important aircraft of aviation history flying,” added Chaney.

Access to all three aircraft that includes walk through tours are just $12 for adults, and $6 for children 12 and under.  WWII Veterans get into the ground tours at no charge.  No reservations are needed and the walk through tour times are:  

Friday, 10/18/2013       2 pm - 4:30 pm
Saturday, 10/19/2013   9 am - 4:30 pm
Sunday, 10/20/2013      9 am - 4:30 pm 
Flight Experiences take place before and after walk through tours.  Reservations are required.  Call 978-562-9182 to arrange your flight.

Flight Experience “donations” are $425 per person aboard the B-17 or B-24, and $2,200 for 30 minutes of P-51 dual control flight training (yes, you get "stick" time in the P-51).  The Collings Foundatoion is a 501(c)3 so the majority of your flight experience is a tax-deductible contribution.

“It will be a great weekend to visit the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) and we hope to see you here,” stated Frasher.  The planes will be next to the new aviation themed community public park at GMU, by the Runway Cafe's apron, which is on the South Ramp of the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU), 21 Airport Road Ext., Greenville, SC 29607  The Collings Foundation is an educational foundation devoted to organizing “living history” events that allows people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation. The Nationwide WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR is in its 24th year and visits an average of 110 cities in over 35 states annually. Since its start, tens of millions of people have seen the B-17 and B-24 display at locations everywhere. The WINGS OF FREEDOM tour is one of the most extraordinary and unique interactive traveling historical displays of its kind.  For further information please visit www.collingsfoundation.org or e-mail Hunter Chaney athchaney@collingsfoundation.org or call 978.562.9182

Honor Flight Upstate SC is a non-profit, volunteer-based program that is dedicated to honoring our World War II veterans and the sacrifices they have made to keep our nation safe and our people free.  Honor Flight Upstate SC has flown over 900 WWII veterans to Washington, DC since May, 2008, and the next flight is scheduled for April, 2014. Many financial supporters in the community have helped complete this task. For more information please visit www.honorflightupstatesc.com or contact Paul Howell at 864-869-VETS or HonorFlightUpstateSC@gmail.com

Join the Upcountry History Museum for Veterans Weekend, presented by Piedmont Natural Gas, on November 9th and 10th in honoring the men and women of our Armed Forces, past and present.  Exhibits of military collections from across the Upstate will be on display throughout the museum, with artifacts ranging from medals to vehicles.  This year, we will commemorate the Year of Altruism with the focus on the selfless sacrifice of America’s military to defend freedom and protect the lives of innocent people throughout the world.  Opening ceremonies begin at 10:00 am on 11/9/13 and admission is free to the public all weekend.  The Upcountry History Museum's mission is to promote, present and preserve the history of Upcountry South Carolina through education, research and service.  For more information please visit http://www.upcountryhistory.org/ or contact Tim Bishop at (864) 467-3100 or at Tim@upcountryhistory.org
  
The Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) is the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina and is a self-sufficient entity with financial strength that doesn't rely on local taxpayers for funding. GMU is home to Greenville Jet Center, the largest Fixed Base Operation (FBO) in S.C., as well as more than 25 other aviation-related businesses creating 453 jobs that annually contribute more than $35.2 million to the Upstate economy. For more information about GMU please visit http://www.greenvilledowntownairport.com or contact Joe Frasher at 864-242-4777 or Joe@greenvilledowntownairport.com