Relics of war take to the skies
Bomber exhibit ignites memories for WWII vets
PLYMOUTH - A reunion of sorts took place last Friday, when three olive-green World War II-era bombers soared from the skies and landed on the runway of Plymouth Municipal Airport.
Few of these aircraft exist today, and fewer still are capable of flight. They are an endangered species; relics that most people have seen only in films or photographs. But they are a familiar sight for some World War II veterans, like 84-year-old Edward R. Baush of Scituate.
Baush was among the crowd of aviation buffs who gathered at the airport to watch the fully restored
The planes stopped in Plymouth as part of the Collings Foundation's "Wings of Freedom Tour," an aviation history exhibit that visits airports across the country allowing people to get a close-up glimpse of aircraft that played important roles in World War II. The Collings Foundation is a nonprofit based in Stow that has recovered and restored over a dozen historic planes, some dating back to as early as 1909.
Many planes were scrapped for their aluminum after the war. In fact, the Collings Foundation's B-24 is the last of its kind in flying condition, said Kerry Bean, a foundation volunteer who co-piloted the flight from Bedford to Plymouth last week.
"It's all about preserving and displaying history," he said.
Each of the planes on the Wings of Freedom Tour is painted with unique markings. Three white swastikas - taken from a plane that completed 140 missions and representing confirmed German fighter plane kills -are painted on the side of the B-17 Flying Fortress, along with the plane's nickname, "Nine-O-Nine." The nose of the B-25 bomber is decorated with the yellow and red letters spelling out its nickname, "Tondelayo," alongside a scantily clad raven-haired woman wearing a grass skirt, and nothing more. The B-24 bears the nickname "Witchcraft" on its nose, and 130 bomb markings on its side.
The cost of operating these 1940s-era planes can reach over $3,000 per flying hour, according to the Collings Foundation. During each stop on the tour, the foundation opens the planes to the public and collects donations. For $5 to $10, spectators can climb inside to see the cockpit and gun turrets. For $425, you can have a ride.
At Plymouth Municipal Airport last week, dozens of people took advantage of the opportunity to peek inside the planes. One older gentleman stood inside the B-24 with his granddaughter, giving her an informal tour of the cramped quarters in which he spent a lot of time during World War II. "That's where your Papa was," he said motioning toward a part of the plane. He explained how the crews had to wear oxygen masks because the cabins weren't pressurized, and had special flight suits to combat the sub-zero temperatures.
Baush inspected the planes from the outside, with his family. He served in the US Army Air Forces during World War II, in the 801st/492nd Bombardment Group, a special unit that flew secret missions from England and dropped off secret agents and supplies behind enemy lines. He was a pilot of B-24 planes.
Baush sat in his wheelchair, holding a framed black-and-white photograph. It showed a group of young men wearing flight suits and caps. Baush pointed to one of the young men in the picture. "That's me," he said.
It was a special day for Baush, who had not seen a B-24 in years, according to his daughter, Susan.
"A lot of his friends never came back," she said. "He lost a lot of his buddies."
Baush did not say much. But when his caregiver, David Allen, pushed his wheelchair around the perimeter of the B-24, and he got a closer view, his eyes lit up.
The next stop on the "Wings of Freedom Tour" is Beverly. The planes are scheduled to fly into Beverly Municipal Airport tomorrow at 2 p.m. and will be there until Sept. 24. Self-guided tours of the planes cost $10 for adults, and $5 for children. For more information, visit collingsfoundation.org.
Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com.
