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Vintage planes land for 3-day ‘living history’ in Ramona

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Visitors can tour, photograph and even fly in World War II bomber and fighter aircraft Wednesday through Friday at Ramona Airport.

The Wings of Freedom Tour, brought to Ramona by the Massachusetts-based nonprofit Collings Foundation, is part of a 110-city nationwide history display.

“This is a rare opportunity to visit, explore and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history,” said Hunter Chaney with the Collings Foundation.

Photographer Mike Hennig of Ramona was at the airport as the four planes arrived early Wednesday afternoon. The aircraft are at the ramp by the control tower at the airport, 2898 Montecito Road.

Tour hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon Friday.

Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out — $12 for adults and $6 for children age 11 and younger. Discounted rates are available for school groups. Visitors also have the opportunity to purchase flights aboard the fleet. For fight reservations and more information, call 800-568-8924.

The Collings Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation, organizes “living history” events that allow people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation. The nationwide Wings of Freedom Tour is celebrating its 27th year and is considered one of the most extraordinary and unique interactive traveling historical displays of its kind.

The tour is 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, Chaney said.

More information is at www.collingsfoundation.org.

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