NEWS
UPDATE - B-24 Paint Scheme to be Changed to
8th Air Force, 467th BG "Witchcraft"
Colors - December
14th, 2004
The
Collings Foundation’s B-24J is the only restored
flying B-24J in the world. Initially, when
we restored it in 1989, we honored the 15th
A.F. in Italy with the selection of the ALL
AMERICAN-a very distinguished A/C with a record
of having shot down 14 enemy fighters on a
single mission (only two B-24’s came back
out of a squadron of 19). Then we selected
the DRAGON & HIS TAIL, probably WWII’s
most extensive nose art, to honor and represent
the WWII veterans who served in the Pacific.
Now, it’s time to honor the 8th Air Force
and all who served in England and in the ETO.
We have selected “WITCHCRAFT”, a B-24 assigned
to the 467BG, 790BS that compiled an amazing
record of 130 combat missions. WITCHCRAFT
is an olive drab aircraft, with red and white
nose bowls, red and white rudders, 130 bomb
markings and a cartoonish witch flying a machine gun
as nose art. All the names of our Dedicated
Crew, Lead Crew, Plane Sponsors and DFC Members
will be proudly displayed on the co-pilot’s
side of the aircraft. Honor Crew and aircraft
names will continue to be on the bomb bay
doors.
We’re very pleased that we have been able
to keep this B-24J flying and look forward
to continuing to honor our American Veterans.
America's
only flying B-24J continues soaring through
its native skies as part of the annual Wings
of Freedom Tour with its sister ship, the
B-17 Flying Fortress. A product of a multi-million
dollar restoration, the B-24 stands testiment
to the strength of the 1940's engineering
that built it and helped it survive through
many years of hardship.
A
living history museum seen at over 120 cities
per year, the B-24 brings memories for the
many who flew others like it during WWII.
For a younger generation, it brings enlightenment--a
glimpse of the conditions in which it served,
and an appreciation for the freedom we all
share because of its role in the Second World
War.
Its
guns are long silent as the new mission it
flies finds it over no enemy lands. Instead
the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines roar
over welcoming cities and enthusiastic towns.
Each stop the B-24 and B-17 make brings more
stories and more experiences that promote
the mission that they fly for: honoring our
veterans who served and in many cases, gave
their life for our freedom.
You
can find the B-24 with the B-17 all over the
nation and there is a good chance that a stop
may be happening near you! Check our schedule
for a chance to visit and maybe even fly
on the B-24 Liberator!
