The Punta Gorda Airport welcomes the Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Feb. 6, through Feb. 9. Punta Gorda is one of 110 cities on a national tour that brings extremely rare bomber and fighter aircraft for a living history display. Two local WWII veterans will participate in the tour from the Naples Airport to the Punta Gorda Airport.
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. Participating aircraft includes: B-17, Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine", one of only 8 in flying condition in the United States. B-24J Liberator “Witchcraft,” the sole remaining example of its type flying in the World. B-25 Mitchell "Tondelayo" bombers best known for being used in the daring Doolittle raid. P-51 Mustang "Toulouse Nuts" fighter that recently received the 2016 Oshkosh Grand Champion Award for restoration.
Two WWII veterans will ride in the B-24J Liberator from the Naples Airport to the Punta Gorda Airport: Jim Ross and Jim Bowden. In 1943, Jim Ross, a US Navy flight engineer mechanic, served with VB-105 Squadron Fleet Air Wing 7. The unit’s duties included patrolling in B-24 Liberators while looking for German submarines. At the age of 90, Ross received the prestigious Federal Aviation Administration’s Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.
Jim Bowden, intel officer that flew NEACAP after the war including the first time a president flew on it.
The tour offers a rare opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history. Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out - $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. 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. P-51 flight training is $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.
