In honor of WWII veterans, the Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour returns to the Minden Tahoe Airport next month again bringing rare bomber and fighter aircraft living history displays as part of its 110-city nationwide tour.
The Wings of Freedom will again showcase vintage planes such as the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell and North American P-51 Mustang. The event runs June 16-19 and is a rare opportunity to visit, explore and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history.
The vintage planes will fly over Carson Valley and around Carson City during the tour. The B-17 is one of only 8 in flying condition in the United States, the B-24J and Full Dual Control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the World. The B-25 is best known for being used in the daring Doolittle raid.
Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft.
Discounted rates for school groups. Visitors may also experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually take a 30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $450 per person. Get some “stick time” in the world’s greatest fighter! P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour. B-25 flights are $400 per person. For reservations and information on flight experiences call 800-568-8924.
The Wings of Freedom tour will arrive at Minden-Tahoe Airport 2 p.m. June 16 and will be on display at Main Ramp at Minden-Tahoe Airport until the aircraft departs June 19 at around 5 p.m.
Hours of ground tours and display are 2 p.m. through 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 16; 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Friday, June 17, 9 a.m. through 5p.m.on Saturday, June 18; 9 a.m. through 5 p.m., Sunday, June 19. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times above. Minden-Tahoe Airport in Minden located at Main Ramp 1146 Airport Road.
The Collings Foundation is a non-profit 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 celebrating its 27th year and visits over 35 states annually.