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By Bill Van Tassel
AUBURN — Four World War II military aircraft visited the Auburn-Lewiston area in September, one stop on a national tour of 110 cities.
The restored aircraft are managed by the Collings Foundation, which was founded in 1979 to organize and support living history events and the preservation, exhibition, and interaction of historical artifacts. Since 1989, a major focus of the foundation has been the Wings of Freedom Tour of World War II aircraft.
The aircraft that landed at the Auburn/Lewiston Airport included the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell Bomber, and a P-51 Mustang Fighter.
The exhibit, which was at the airport from Sept. 27 to 29, drew visitors from surrounding towns, as well as some from other parts of Maine and New Hampshire. The exhibit not only offered a a chance to go inside the larger aircraft, but also a 30-minute flight, for an additional fee.
Visitors got to see a stark picture of how the pilots and crews had to manage their business in very cramped and, when on a mission, a freezing cold evironment. Many service men lost their lives in the B-17 during bombing raids over Germany, but because of the plane’s ability to maintain flight with substantial damage, the Flying Fortress, which was featured in the 1990 movie “Memphis Belle,” brought many home safely.
