The Airpower History Tour brings iconic World War II bombers, B-29 Superfortress “FIFI” and B-24 Liberator “DIAMOND LIL”, to La Crosse Regional Airport in La Crosse, WI for public tours and rides in July 2019.
– Event offers great visuals and interview opportunities
– Media will have exclusive access to the aircraft upon arrival
WHAT:
The sights, sounds, and stories of World War II aviation will come to La Crosse when the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, FIFI, and the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, DIAMOND LIL, land at La Crosse Regional Airport, accompanied by a T-6 Texan, and a PT-13 Stearman. The event is presented by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), which brings its AirPower History Tour to airports across North America each year. Visitors will be able to view all aircraft up close, purchase rides in the aircraft, and tour the B-29 and B-24 cockpits when the aircraft are not flying.
WHEN:
July 25, 2019: The B-29 and B-24 are scheduled to arrive Thursday, July 26 at noon. Additional aircraft are scheduled to arrive Thursday as well.
July 26 – July 28: The event will be open to the public Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Supporting aircraft will be offering rides all three days. The B-29 flies on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The B-24 flies on Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Cockpit tours of the B-24 and B-29 will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m., except on Saturday and Sunday when they will begin at noon.
WHERE:
The aircraft will be located at the La Crosse Regional Airport, Civil Air Patrol Ramp, 2906 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, WI 54603.
EVENT INFORMATION:
Access to the ramp is $15 for adults and $8 for youth age 10 through 17. Children under age 9 are admitted free. The cost of rides ranges from $85 to $1,995 depending on aircraft type. Rides may be booked in advance at AirPowerTour.org where additional information about the event may also be found.
ABOUT THE CAF B-29 SUPERFORTRESS FIFI:
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) acquired FIFIin 1971 when a member found her at the U.S. Navy Proving Ground at China Lake, California. The airplane was rescued and restored by a group of CAF volunteers and has been flying for more than 45 years. Since 1974, FIFI has been traveling coast-to-coast each year honoring the men and women who built, maintained and flew WWII aircraft, and educating the next generation on their service and our history, attracting large crowds at every tour stop. The Boeing B-29 Superfortress, was first flown in 1942. It began active service in the US Army Air Corp in 1944, and is best known as the aircraft whose missions over Japan helped bring an end to World War II. The B-29 also was used in the Korean War in the early 1950s and was a staple of the U.S. Air Force until 1960. Learn more about FIFI and her tour schedule at www.airpowertour.org
ABOUT THE CAF B-24 LIBERATOR DIAMOND LIL
Today, DIAMOND LIL is one of only two airworthy B-24s bombers in existence and is one of the featured aircraft in the CAF AirPower History Tour. The CAF has been bringing LIL to airports throughout the United States since 1968. In the fall of 2018, LIL returned to the skies after a three-year restoration. The Consolidated B‐24 Liberator, first flown in 1939, began active service in 1941 and was the most produced American aircraft of World War II, with 18,482 built. The Liberator was used in every theater of the war and for a variety of missions from long-range bombing and submarine patrol, to transporting high priority cargo and VIPs. Learn more about DIAMOND LIL and her tour schedule at www.airpowertour.org
ABOUT THE COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE:
Through more than six decades of collecting and flying World War II aircraft, the CAF has become the world’s largest flying museum. Their fleet of over 170 World War II airplanes is assigned to unit locations across the U.S. and is supported by 12,000 volunteer members. Nearly all the aircraft are kept in flying condition, enabling people to experience firsthand the sight and sound of vintage military aircraft in flight. The CAF is dedicated to honoring American military aviation through flight, exhibition, education, and remembrance.
To learn more about the Commemorative Air Force, please visit www.commemorativeairforce.org.