The Commemorative Air Force hosts Warbirds at Gillespie County Airport in Fredericksburg September 4-7
San Marcos, Texas (August 7, 2015) – It’s been 70 years since the US Army Air Force lifted into the air to create the largest air armada ever to fill the skies during World War II, but on Friday through Monday September 4 through 7, five rare WWII warbirds will be roaring over Fredericksburg, Texas.
Leading the flight into Gillespie County Airport on Labor Day weekend will be Texas Raiders – the famed B-17 Flying Fortress, along with the B-25 Mitchell bomber Yellow Rose. Joining the big bombers will be one of their storied “little friends” from WWII – the P-51 Mustang fighter Pecos Bill. Additionally, a T-6 Texan trainer and an L-17A Navion transport will be on hand as well. All five aircraft are notable for their historic importance and level of restoration. Of the 12,731 B-17’s built across the US, only nine are currently flying— and Texas Raiders bristles with authentic machine guns and period-specific equipment. The North American B-25 Mitchell bomber Yellow Rose is also rare—one of only 27 of the remaining famous bombers that first attacked Tokyo. The high performance Mustang solidified the Allies’ air superiority in 1944—and the airmen who flew them almost universally trained in the T-6 Texan advanced trainer, which served in the United States Army Air Force (USAAF), United States Navy, the Royal Air Force and other allied nations during World War II. The versatile L-17A Navion was used by the AAF as a liaison aircraft, personnel and cargo carrier, and trainer.
Tours of all five aircraft will be available to the public as will the unique opportunity to ride in the bombers and trainers. Beginning each day at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 5 through Sunday and Monday (Labor Day) the public can visit the aircraft and for a nominal admission and can take walk-through tours that include commentary from crew members. WWII veterans and active duty service men and women with their military ID may tour for free. Attendees who want the ultimate Living History Flight Experience can make a reservation now for one of the limited number of approximately 30-minute flights on the aircraft.
The public is invited to come out to Gillespie County Airport, 217 Airport Road, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 to tour all the aircraft and talk with their crews. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12 or $20 for a family of up to five members. Flights on the trainers begin at $75; flights in the bombers start at $450.
