By JON BAKER

LINCOLN — The last time the “Wings of Freedom Tour” flew to North Central State Aiport, just about a year ago, the weather proved more than inhospitable.

“It just poured during virtually the entire stop,” laughed Hunter Chaney, director of marketing for the Collings Foundation, which produces what he calls a truly unique American Living History display of vintage World War II aircraft. “It was like a late summer monsoon. We’re hoping we have much better conditions this time around.”
Still, rain or shine, this local three-day event, part of a 110-city/town nationwide tour, will begin today by Landmark Aviation at this smallish airfield at the intersection of Jenckes Hill and Albion roads, and those who attend will have the opportunity to enter a Boeing B-17 “Nine o’ Nine” Flying Fortress; Consolidated B-24 Liberator; a North American B-25 Mitchell; and P-51 Mustang on these grounds. All will fly to Lincoln at approximately 1:30 p.m. from Waterbury, Conn.
Ground tours of the four planes will be held from 2-5 p.m., Monday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday; and 9 a.m.-noon on Wednesday. If one chooses, he or she also may purchase a 30-minute “ride.”
Flight fees include $425 per person on the B-17 and B-24; and $2,200 for a half-hour on the P-51 Mustang ($3,200 for an hour). As for the B-25, there are two seat arrangements available, including the forward position ($400) and waist-gunner/tail-gunner spot ($325). Times for such rides will be at 5 p.m., Monday; 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Tuesday; and 8:30 a.m., Wednesday.
Those fees are tax-deductible, as the money is used to preserve such “flying wonders.”
“On the Mustang, flight training will take place for both pilots and non-pilots,” Chaney stated. “Joyriders will actually steer the plane; they’ll get ‘stick time.’ Make no mistake -- these are real lessons.
You can go over 400 mph in such an aircraft, so it’s the real deal. We haven’t had a disappointed flier yet. It’s really cool.”
Attendees also will get the chance to speak with and share stories with three WWII veterans, including George Sutcliffe, a First Lt. Pilot of a P-47 fighter; Technical Sgt. Raymond Noury, a top-turret gunner in the B-24 Liberator; and Lt. Peter Rembetsy, a B-24 pilot.
“George has a couple of kills under his belt, and his missions included bomber escorts and ground support after the invasion of Normandy; and Ray flew in 17 missions, though he was shot down on Feb. 22, 1944 over the Austrian Alps near Czechoslovakia. He was captured by the Germans until April 29, 1945.
“As for Pete, he flew in over 30 missions, which is a stunning amount,” he added. “You figure, after about 14, you’re very lucky to still be alive. Anyone who wants to know more about them will have a field day chatting with these guys.
“This tour travels the nation (as) a flying tribute to the flight crews … the ground crews who maintained them; the soldiers, sailors and airmen they helped protect; and the citizens and families who share the freedom they helped preserve … When folks come out and talk to these veterans, who are few and far between nowadays, they’ll also get a chance to crawl through the planes, and touch and smell and hear them.
“It makes for a very memorable history lesson.”

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That’s just what Stow, Mass. resident Bob Collings had in mind when he initiated the “Wings of Freedom” Tour back in 1979, a part of the Collings Foundation he founded.
“The purpose of it was to organize and support living history events that enable Americans to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation,” Chaney stated. “One of my favorite sayings that describes the foundation and what it stands for: ‘If you read or listen to something, you might remember it; if you experience something, you tend not to forget.’ I find that very true.
“The aircraft are restored to original wartime configurations,” he continued. “What people will see when they walk through them, or actually fly with the pilots, is just what an airman would’ve experienced during World War II, with the lone exception being that no one will be shot at.”
Chaney mentioned that B-25 Mitchell was a mid-range light bomber which is known mostly for flying in the “Doolittle Raid.
“Jim Doolittle led a bombing run of 16 aircraft to the Japanese islands just after Pearl Harbor,” Chaney noted. “They did so to surprise the Japanese, just as they had in Hawaii … When you’re flying in any one of these aircraft, or even when the engines start up, there’s not a closed mouth in it. The enormous sound and the shaking, and the anticipation of flying, it’s just fantastic.
“I do it every year, and it never gets old,” he added.
The B-17 is one of only nine in flying condition in the United States, and the B-24J and dual-control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying worldwide. The B-17, B-24 and B-25 were the backbone of the American effort (between) 1942-1945, and were famous for their ability to sustain damage and still accomplish the mission.
Despite the risks of anti-aircraft fire, attacking enemy fighters and the harrowing environment of sub-zero temperatures, many B-17s, B-24s and B-25s safely brought their crews home, Chaney said.
“The P-51 Mustang was affectionately known as the bombers’ ‘Little Friend,’” he added. “They saved countless crews from attacking Axis fighters. After the war, many aircraft were scrapped for their raw aluminum to rebuild a nation in post-war prosperity. Therefore, very few were spared.
“At each location, we encourage local veterans and their families to visit and share their experiences and stories with the the public.”
Donations will be requested -- $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. To book a flight, call (800) 568-8924. If you happen to miss this event, the aircraft will move to Hyannis early Wednesday afternoon.