GULF SHORES, Ala. — A unique display is coming to the Jack Edwards Airport in Gulf Shores, Feb. 24 through 26.

The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour brings extremely rare bomber and fighter aircraft for a living history display as part of a 110-city nationwide tour.

Participating in the tour will be the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” WWII Heavy Bomber, Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” WWII Heavy Bomber and P-51 Mustang “Betty Jane.”

This is a rare opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history.

The B-17 is one of only nine in flying condition in the United States, the B-24J and dual-control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the World.

Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out. A $12 donation for adults and $6 donation for children under 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft.

Visitors may also experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually take a 30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft. Flight experiences are a tax-deductible donation.

Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $425 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.

For reservations and information on flight experiences, call (800) 568-8924.

The planes will be located at the Gulf Shores Air Center, 3190 Airport Drive. They will arrive at Jack Edwards Airport at 2 p.m. on Feb. 24 and will be on display until departure on Feb. 26 at noon.

Hours of ground tours and display are: 2-4:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 and 9:00 a.m. through noon on Feb. 26.

The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times.

The Collings Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational foundation devoted to organizing “living history” events that enable people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation.

The Wings of Freedom Tour is in its 21st year and visits an average of 110 cities in over 35 states annually.

Since its start, millions of people have seen the B-17, B-24 and P-51 display at locations everywhere. The tour is one of the most extraordinary and unique interactive traveling historical displays of its kind.

The Wings of Freedom Tour travels the nation 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. their crews home.

The chance to tell the story of WWII is why the Collings Foundation continues to fly and display the aircraft nationwide.

Visitors can find out more by visiting www.collingsfoundation.org.