World War II warbirds rumble over the region

Four legendary World War II-era warbirds — three bombers and a fighter plane — landed at Dayton Wright Brothers Airport this afternoon in a return to another time.

A B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell and a two-seat P-51 Mustang, part of the “Wings of Freedom Tour,” will be flying in the area today through Friday, organizers say.

Visitors can pay to fly in each of the historic warbirds on the tour. “Some of the aircraft are very rare,” said spokesman Hunter Chaney.

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The non-profit Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts sponsors the tour which last landed to Dayton in 2013.

Costs to fly in the B-17 or B-24 are $450 per person and in the B-25 its $400 a seat for a half-hour flight, organizers said.

The P-51 costs $2,200 a ticket for a half hour and $3,200 for an hour-long flight, according to the foundation.

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Adults and teen-agers may tour the aircraft for $15 and children under 12 for $5, the foundation said.

Tour hours are scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon Friday. The location at the airport is Aviation Sales, Inc., 10600 N. Springboro Pike.

To make a reservation to fly on one of the warbirds, call 800-568-8924.

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