Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour 2016 – Last Few Days

(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
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The Collings Foundation's TF-51D "Toulouse Nuts" taxis out at Roanoke Regional Airport for one of several passenger rides that day. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
The Collings Foundation’s TF-51D “Toulouse Nuts” taxis out at Roanoke Regional Airport for one of several passenger rides that day. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

As they do every year, the Collings Foundation flies a number of their warbirds around the USA in an extensive 100+ city tour reminiscent of the barnstorming days of yore. This year was no different, and it was a real delight to see three of their bombers and their newly-minted, dual-control TF-51D arrive in Roanoke, Virginia a couple of weeks ago as part of their Wings of Freedom Tour. On the Sunday afternoon, during WarbirdsNews visit, there were well over a hundred people touring the Collings Foundation’s B-17G Flying Fortress “Nine-o-Nine” and B-24J Liberator “Witchcraft”. Collings’ B-25J Mitchell “Tondelayo” was also present and very active. P-51D Mustang “Toulousenuts” was making her first visit to Roanoke Regional Airport and kept busy giving rides, as were the bombers. It was good to see so much public enthusiasm for the vintage warbirds. Also on display alongside the Collings Foundation’s aircraft was the forward fuselage of an F-4 Phantom II marked in USAF Thunderbirds colors.

An elderly couple await their ride in Nine-o-Nine. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
An elderly couple await their ride in Nine-o-Nine. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

Inside "Witchcraft". (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
Inside “Witchcraft”. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

Several WWII veterans were in attendance. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
Several WWII veterans were in attendance. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

The forward fuselage of an F-4 Phantom II was open for visitors during the Collings Foundation's recent visit to Roanoke, Virginia. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
The forward fuselage of an F-4 Phantom II was open for visitors during the Collings Foundation’s recent visit to Roanoke, Virginia. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

There were long lines to see inside the bombers. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
There were long lines to see inside the bombers. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

 (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
(photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)

A steady stream of visitors were lining up for a chance to sit in her cockpit and have their photographs taken too. The four Collings Foundation warbirds have since continued on their tour. Their current schedule shows just three more appearances left this season: Montgomery, AL Oct.31st-Nov.2nd; Tallahassee, FL Nov.2nd-4th; and Leesburg, FL Nov.4th – 6th. Please do check the tour website for any changes to the events and/or locations. Following the season finale in Florida, the aircraft will disperse to their winter maintenance sites in preparation for next year’s tour. We hope that you enjoy seeing some of the images from our visit.

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Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.

After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.

Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.

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About Richard Mallory Allnutt (Chief Editor) 1060 Articles
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends. After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups. Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.

4 Comments

  1. This has been the most fulfilling volunteer opportunity. Thank you Collings for allowing to fly and work with this group. Will be back next year. THE Deripaskas

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