Rare WWII aircraft to land in Greenville
September 1, 2015
GREENVILLE, SC – “Almost every year that the Collings Foundation’s WW II aircraft came to the Greenville Downtown Airport in South Carolina, Hugh Brown, along with his lifelong friend, Bucky Smart, came out to see them. The last few years, they were brought by their children, because they could no longer drive. Wearing their WW II hats, they came not just one day of the aircraft’s three day visit, but most days that they were here,” stated Hank Brown, Owner of Greenville Jet Center and Hugh Brown’s nephew. “They were able to see and visit with others, who like themselves had made it well into their nineties; some of the few veterans who are still left that have had similar life experiences that include memories of WW II. They also enjoyed having the general public ask them about their tour of duty and were moved when people thanked them for their service,” Brown added.
The aircraft they loved to see are coming again this year, but Hugh will not be there (he passed away earlier this year).
The Wings of Freedom Tour features three rare aircraft: the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” heavy bomber, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” heavy bomber and the North American P-51 Mustang fighter. “The B-24 is the last one of its type that’s still airworthy. These are literally flying pieces of history,” said Collings Foundation spokesman Hunter Chaney. “The level of care that goes into maintaining them is world renowned. When you see the planes, they run beautifully and they are in great shape.”
“When it comes to engaging people in World War II history, there’s nothing quite as memorable or engaging as flying or touring through a World War II aircraft,” Chaney said. “It’s really like an interactive flying memorial for our World War II veterans.” Walk through tours of the aircraft are $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. WW II Veterans are admitted to the ground tours at no charge. B-17 or B-24 flights are $450; P-51 flights are $2,200 – $3,200, depending on the length of flight purchased. Flights generally take place before and after ground tour times, but the P-51 often flies during the ground tours. For reservations and information on flight experiences please call 800-568-8924.
Walk through tour times (no reservations needed):
Friday, 10/23/2015 – 2 pm to 5 pm
Saturday, 10/24/2015 – 9 am to 4:30 pm
Sunday, 10/25/2015 – 9 am to 4:30 pm
“We always encourage people to come out not just for the aircraft, but for the veterans who come out to see them,” stated Chaney. “There will be a day in the not-too-distant future when we won’t have the opportunity to learn from them.”
Hugh and Bucky, in between interacting with others who came to see the historic aircraft, would often talk of the good old days. They spoke of going on DOUBLE dates, on ONE motorcycle, with the gals who would later become their wives; these ladies have now passed on. They talked of the four other friends that once helped make up their social group called the “Dirty Half Dozen.” Hugh and Bucky were the last two surviving members of the group. And they, of course, talked about their service to our country and how the world has changed over the years.
Hugh was buried on August 7th. A Stearman Bi-plane, like the ones he flew in WW II, was flown over his grave site during the ceremony. Fewer and fewer in his generation are alive and able to come out. “We hope that Bucky will make it this year,” Brown added.
If you would like to come and see these historic aircraft, they will be located next to the Runway Cafe and Runway Park at GMU, which is on the South Ramp of the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU), 21 Airport Road Ext., Greenville, SC 29607.
The Collings Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational foundation devoted to organizing “living history” events that allow people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation. The Nationwide WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR is in its 26th year. The “flying museum” visits about 110 cities in over 35 states each year and attracts about 3.5 million visitors annually. The WINGS OF FREEDOM tour is one of the most extraordinary and unique interactive traveling historical displays of its kind. For further information please visit www.collingsfoundation.org or e-mail Hunter Chaney at [email protected] or call 800-568-8924.
The Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) is the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina and is a self-sufficient entity with financial strength that doesn’t rely on local taxpayers for funding. GMU is home to Greenville Jet Center, the largest Fixed Base Operation (FBO) in S.C., as well as more than 25 other aviation-related businesses creating 453 jobs that annually contribute more than $35.2 million to the Upstate economy. For more information about GMU please visit http://www.greenvilledowntownairport.com or contact Joe Frasher at 864-242-4777 or [email protected].
