World War II Aircraft Comes to Hyannis

The mighty wings of vintage World War II aircraft – examples of planes that helped to win the war for America and its allies during the 1940s – will be coming to Barnstable Municipal Airport September 12-14 for tours and special flights.

Two heavy bombers, a B-24J Liberator and a B-17 Flying Fortress, are scheduled to land at the airport at 2 p.m., September 12, accompanied by a P-51 Mustang fighter. The three aircraft will park on the airport’s east ramp near Route 28 and Mary Dunn Way. They’ll be open for tours from 2-5 p.m. that day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 13 and 9 a.m. to noon on September 14. Admission will be exclusively through the airport gate on Mary Dunn Way.

“The bombers were the backbone of the American effort and were famous for their ability to take damage and still accomplish their missions in Europe and the Pacific,” said Airport Manager Roland “Bud” Breault. “The B-24J Liberator and the P-51C full dual control Mustang are the only examples of their type still flying.”

World War II veterans will be offered aircraft tours at no charge. Admission for other adults is $12 per person and six dollars for children younger than 12. School groups will receive discounted rates.

Thirty-minute flights aboard the heavy bombers may be scheduled for $425. Flights in the P-51 Mustang begin at $2,200 for a half hour.

The Wings of Freedom Tour is managed by the Collings Foundation of Stow, Massachusetts, a non-profit educational foundation. The tour visits an average of 110 cities in 35 states each year.