Freedom tour brings rare aircraft to Ramona

The public will have an opportunity to see rare bomber and fighter aircraft when the Collings Foundation brings its Wings of Freedom Tour to Ramona Airport from April 30 through May 2.

Pilots will fly in a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” World War II Heavy Bomber, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” WWII Heavy Bomber, and a P-51 Mustang. The planes will arrive at Ramona Airport at 2 p.m. on April 30 and will be on display on the main ramp near the airport tower at the end of Montecito Road.

Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft from 2 to 5 p.m. April 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1, and 9 a.m. to noon May 2.

Fees for up-close viewing and tours are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. Tours are free for WWII veterans.

For $425 per person, a visitor may arrange to take a 30-minute flight aboard the B-17 or B-24.

“Stick time” is available on the P-51 for $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for an hour.

The Collings Foundation is a nonprofit group that organizes living history events. For more information or to schedule a flight, call 800-568-8924 or contact Hunter Chaney at hchaney@collingsfoundation.org.