Our friend Katharine works at the local county airport and invited us to stop by for lunch today for vintage airplanes and local NC Barbeque. I am so happy we took her up on her offer and had the chance to stop by the Collings Foundation’s “Wings of Freedom” Tour today. Burlington NC was an unexpected stop on this year’s tour that was only added recently. According to Katharine, someone noticed that the tour would be flying right over our area between their stop in Richmond, VA last weekend and Savannah, GA this coming weekend. In a few short weeks, they were able to organize a pit stop right here in Alamance County. Three vintage World War II planes are on display until 4:30 today and again tomorrow until noon. This is a great chance to see some beautifully restored and maintained “warbirds”.
Nate’s favorite plane was this P-51 Mustang named the Betty Jane. Also on display is a B-24J Liberator with a replica “Witchcraft” paint scheme that honors the 8th Air Force. The original “Witchcraft” completed 130 combat missions.
The third plane on display is a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, the “Nine O Nine”.
For the history buff, war veteran or vintage plane aficionado, the tour also offers the chance to take a flight in one of these beauties. I overheard one of the staff mentioning the possibility of this evenings flight flying over the beautiful campus at UNC. Quite a few veterans and servicemen are turning out for the event and you can eavesdrop on quite a few interesting conversations. Or better yet, introduce yourself and take a walk down memory lane with one of them.