San Benito residents have the rare opportunity to hop into the
cockpit, target the machine guns and feel what it’s like to ride in
an authentic World War II Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and
Consolidated B-24 Liberator this week.
San Benito residents have the rare opportunity to hop into the cockpit, target the machine guns and feel what it’s like to ride in an authentic World War II Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator this week. In honor of Veterans Memorial Month the rustic, historic planes are making a special appearance at the Hollister Municipal Airport until Thursday.
The Collings Foundation “Wings of Freedom” tour, which travels to more than 148 cities throughout the year, brought the fully restored pieces of history, complete with machine guns, ammunition rounds and oxygen masks, to Hollister to educate future generations about the war. From the outside, these metal masterpieces are adorned with drawings representing the original flight crews. The liberator is painted with a dragon holding a naked lady, and the fortress has an old person riding on a bomb in front of swastikas. On the inside, visitors can walk through the narrow passage way between the cockpit and the tail and feel the lack of insulation in the 60-year-old aircrafts.
“We’re a flying museum,” Flight Engineer Phil Haskell said. “This is a tribute to the men and women who built and flew these planes. People can touch them, see them and fly in them.”
With more than 1,000 World War II veterans dying each day, local coordinator Kory Stendell said it’s important to teach the public about this time period before the only stories left are those printed in history books.
“It’s very important to tell the stories of these planes because they’re the reason we speak English today,” he said. “The younger generations don’t know about this and seeing them is a perk because they get to see what their grandfathers flew in or what their grandmothers helped to build.”
This year also marks the 60th anniversary of D-Day in June. Veteran Air Force Lt. McBrick Hagins piloted a B-17 over Germany and completed 32 bombing missions. He said coming out to see the planes brings back many memories.
“I was going to show everyone how I used to get into the plane, but I don’t think they’ll let me,” he jokingly said.
Having these planes around for tours is important because it keeps the spirit of World War II around, Hagins said.
“It keeps us alive,” he said. “We’re fading fast.”
Nine-year-old Jim Rollison said flying for him is a family tradition. As he was touring the B-24, he said he’s hoping to become a Navy pilot one day.
“I like to come out here and learn about the history of it all,” he said.
Hollister resident Irene Corral brought two of her five kids to see the planes for the same reason.
“I brought them so they can learn about the history of these planes and see how big they actually are,” she said.
Visitors can tour the planes for a donation of $8 for adults and $4 for kids, and see what it was like to be a crew member during World War II. All positions on the plane are restored with the original instruments, gun positions and equipment. Those who want the hands on experience can soar over San Benito County in the aircrafts for a tax- deductible donation of $400 per person. All of the money raised goes directly to maintaining the war-time treasures, which cost $3,100 per flight hour per aircraft. The Collings Foundation is a nonprofit educational foundation founded in 1979.
The planes will be available for tours and flights today from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For reservations or more information, call 408-807-0950.
