World War II planes on display in Salina

July 12, 2010|By Melody Pettit | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(SALINA, Kan.) — "I think I could just take off in it myself."

Eighty-six year-old Al Murphy is pretty confident he could fly the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress on display in Salina this week. It wouldn't be his first time. He went on 35 misssions in one as a first pilot in World War II.

"We bailed once in Yugoslavia and I was MIA for ten days."

When he heard the Wings of Freedom was bringing a B-17 to town, he jumped at the chance to fly once again.

"I think it's exciting to hear the roar of the engines reliving the old days."

A crowd watched and took pictures as the impressive planes came in. Murphy and two other veterans got in and climbed 1,000 feet above Salina as part of the Wings of Freedom Tour.

In the air, it didn't take Murphy long before he was at home, exploring the plane and re-living what happened 65 years ago.

"We got shot at. You think of those things."

Wings of Freedom travels to 130 cities a year giving veterans like Murphy a chance, for some there last chance to remember.

"It meant so much to me, gave me some closure."

In addition to the B-17, a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber and a P-51 Mustang fighter plane are in town through Wednesday.

Click for Tour Schedule

Visitors can tour the planes inside and out, and flights of 30 to 60 minutes are offered for a fee. It costs $425 for a half hour. Call 800-568-8924 for flight reservations or questions.

|

|

|