Wings and a Prayer

Fighting an air war was much different in the first half of the past century than it is today. Not that war has gotten much nicer for anyone involved, but now we’ve got pilots sitting on the ground, in front of computers, flying unmanned planes hundreds of miles away. Back...

By Bill Frogameni

January 20, 2011

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Fighting an air war was much different in the first half of the past century than it is today. Not that war has gotten much nicer for anyone involved, but now we’ve got pilots sitting on the ground, in front of computers, flying unmanned planes hundreds of miles away. Back in WWII, the troops climbed into machines that looked like something the guys from Myth Busters might build if they had a couple of dozen lawn mowers, a blowtorch, and a free afternoon. They were scary-looking contraptions, and we owe great respect to the soldiers who climbed into those slow-moving things and set out over Europe or the Pacific.

You can see yesterday’s great military planes and appreciate the veterans who flew them Friday through Monday at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (Hangar 63, 5360 NW 20th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale) when the “Wings of Freedom Tour” comes to town. Contributions are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 to see the planes on the ground. Flights in the B-17, B-24, or P-51 Mustang are available for $425 up to $3,200. For reservations and info on flights, call 800-568-8924, or visit collingsfoundation.org. Aircrafts arrive 2 p.m. Friday.
Fri., Jan. 21, 2 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 23, 2011

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