World War II bombers visit Reno

Monday, May 29, 2000 | 11:11 a.m.

Two, four-engine U.S. bombers from World War II - a B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator - will be displayed Tuesday through Thursday at Mercury Air Center at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

"This brings reality," said Brian Parise, Wings of Freedom tour spokesman.

"Most people have seen planes like this only in movies or on TV. Now, kids will be able to see them and hear the engines roar."

The B-17 is one of only a handful remaining and this B-24 is the only Liberator still flying.

After the war, thousands ended up in government scrap heaps. During the war, many were shot down.

In August 1943 alone, the U.S. lost 114 of the two bombers and about 1,100 men on just three raids.

The visiting B-24 saw combat with the U.S. Army Air Force, the Royal Air Force and the Indian Air Force.

It ended up in a bomber graveyard and the nonprofit Collings Foundation of Stow, Mass., ultimately restored it at a cost of nearly $2 million.

The B-17, Nine-O-Nine, was completed too late for World War II combat.

However, it was named in honor of a plane of that name in the 323rd Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, that flew 140 combat missions. The B-24 is named The Dragon And His Tail.

The Collings Foundation was organized in 1979 to support living history, including aviation. Three million to 4 million people have seen its Wings of Freedom tour in 10 years, Parise said.

This will be the Collings Foundation's third tour to Reno.

People may tour interiors of the planes for a small fee. Local flights in either plane will be offered for a more generous donation of $350 per person.

Admiring the planes from the outside is free.