Four vintage WWII aircraft will fly into Missoula for a three-day visit next week as part of the Collings Foundations Wings of Freedom Tour.

The national tour pays tribute to those who flew, built, maintained and benefited from the aircraft during and after the war, and gives the public an opportunity to either tour the aircraft on the ground, or go for a ride over Missoula.

The Wings of Freedom Tour is a living history event that allows people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation, according to a news release.

The four aircraft visiting Missoula include a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber, a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber, a North American B-25 Mitchell, and a P-51 Mustang fighter. They will be on display at the Museum of Mountain Flying at Missoula International Airport.

According to Stan Cohen, co-founder of the Museum of Mountain Flying, the P-51 Mustang fighter has never been brought to Missoula before, and it is the gem of WWII airplanes.

Flights on the B-17 or the B-24 cost $450 per person, B-25 flights costs $400 per person, and P-51 flights cost $2,200 for a half-hour and $3,200 for a full hour. To explore the aircraft on the ground, adults pay $15 and children younger than 12 pay $5.

The Wings of Freedom Tour will be on display for ground tours from 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 6; and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 7. Thirty minute flights are usually scheduled before or after these times.

For reservations or information, contact the Collings Foundation at 800-568-8924.

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'Wings of Freedom Tour' to bring vintage aircraft to Missoula - The Missoulian