Warbird rides in a classic WWII aircraft at Georgetown set Oct. 2
The Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force will bring its unique art deco Fairchild F24 World War II warbird to the Wings & Wheels event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2, at Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown, along with its WWII Stinson L-5 Sentinel and Boeing PT-17 Stearman biplane. The Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation, based in Georgetown, will have its North American B-25 twin-engine twin-tail WWII bomber Panchito flying overhead. Warbird rides will be available in all aircraft.
The Fairchild F24 puts class back in classic warbirds. It’s like a flying living room. This aircraft is instantly recognizable from its big yellow wings, and it’s one of only five of this type still airworthy in the U.S., as well as the only one known to be offering rides for the public. The Fairchild carries up to three passengers and is ideal for families with children over 12.
Warbird rides in the Fairchild, Stinson L-5 and Stearman biplane can be purchased in advance at the Capital Wing bookings website, capitalwingwarbirdrides.org. A flight experience in the B-25 Panchito bomber can be purchased at the DAMF website, delawareaviationmuseum.org/damf/warbird_flt-adventures.html. Any unsold flights will be available for purchase onsite Oct. 2.
“The Capital Wing is delighted to be able to show off our gorgeous example of Fairchild airplane design at Georgetown and provide warbird rides to the Delmarva public. Keeping our warbirds flying is a part of the CAF mission to honor the thousands of men and women who built, serviced and piloted these vintage WWII aircraft,” said Pete Ballard, Capital Wing warbird rides coordinator. “We’re also going to participate in the Flour Bombing competition with our Stinson L-5 Sentinel, which was a forward air controller aircraft in WWII. The public will not want to miss this exciting event with aircraft trying to hit the bullseye from 200 feet above the runway.”
In addition to the warbirds, the U.S. Naval Academy parachute jump team will perform, there will be a large WWII re-enactor encampment, and the Historical Vintage Car Club of Delaware will hold a car show.
The Capital Wing is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization based in Culpeper, Va., with more than 100 members. It is a unit of the Commemorative Air Force whose mission is to educate, inspire, and honor through flight and living history experiences.
CAF Capital Wing aircraft and B-25 bomber rides sell out quickly, so those interested should purchase early. For details regarding flight requirements, check-in times, cancellations and changes, contact capitalwingcaf@gmail.com or webmaster@delawareaviationmuseum.org.
The Capital Wing, Commemorative Air Force and Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation are nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, and ticket purchases may be tax-deductible.
