World War II Aircraft Arrive at Ramona Airport Today

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It's the coming to Ramona at 2 p.m. today.

A Consolidated B-24 "Liberator" called "Witchcraft," plus the Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" "Nine-Oh-Nine" and a P-51 Mustang will fly in from Carlsbad where they've been on display as part of a nationwide tour. Residents will see them flying in from the coast. Get ready for a flight in one of them if you want to pay $425 to $2,200.

Wings of Freedom is a Massachusetts non-profit organization which provides living history experiences, including this annual tour. This is the 22nd year of the tour, which takes in 35 states.

Ramona Airport Manager Bo Donovan said he'll get a call from Palomar Airport in Carlsbad when the planes are "wheels up."

"It should take them 30 to 40 minutes to get here," he said.

Donovan said the visit is "exciting."

"These are classic airplanes connected to a great part of the world's history."

Visitors can view the aircraft from 2 to 5 p.m. today, 9 a .m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon Friday.

Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $6 for children. World War II veterans will be able to tour the aircraft at no cost and there will be discounts for school groups. Flights in the bombers will cost $425. The P-51 flights will be $2,200 for 30 minutes or $3,200 for an hour.

Donovan said the best view of the aircraft arriving will be seen from the air traffic control tower ramp at the end of Montecito Road. The airport is at 2926 Montecito Road. For general information, call 760-788-3366.

To reserve a flight on the Wings of Freedom Tour aircraft, call 800-568-8924.

To read some of the historical background on the planes, see on Ramona Patch.