Not seen this mentioned on the Forum.
Copied over from Fighter Control
http://ww2flyover.org/
On Friday, May 8, 2015, join us to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE Day). The Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover will include 15 historically sequenced warbird formations traveling across our nation’s capital — from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol. The Flyover will feature over 70 warbirds representing the major battles of World War II, from Pearl Harbor to D-Day, ending with a final Missing Man Formation to “Taps.” Never before has such a collection of WWII aircraft been assembled at one location — a fitting tribute to the men and women at home and abroad responsible for this Victory in 1945.
LINE UP OF WARBIRD FORMATIONS
Trainer Formation “Pass in Review”
with Boeing Stearmans, Piper L-Birds, North America T-6s/SNJs, and Cessna/Beech Twin Bomber Trainers
Pearl Harbor/Flying Tigers
with Curtis P-40 Warhawks
Doolittle Raid
with North American B-25 Mitchells
Guadalcanal Campaign
with Bell P-39 Airacobras and P-63 Kingcobras
Battle of Midway
with Consolidated PBY Catalinas, Grumman F4F/FM-2 Wildcats and Douglas SBD Dauntless
Yamamoto Shootdown
with Lockheed P-38 Lightnings
Ploesti Raid
with Consolidated B-24 Liberators
Fighter Escort for the Combined Bomber Offensive
with North American P-51 Mustangs
Big Week
with Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses
D-Day
with Douglas C-47/R4D Skytrain and B-26/A-26s
Marianas Turkey Shoot, Battle of Leyte Gulf
with Grumman TBM Avengers, Grumman F6F Wildcat, Grumman F8F Bearcats and Curtis SB2C Helldiver
Battle of the Bulge
with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts
Iwo Jima
with Vought FG-1D Corsairs
Final Air Offensive to Defeat Japan
with Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Missing Man Formation to “Taps”
with a TBM Avenger leading a mix of Fighter Aircraft
By: Wings43 - 3rd April 2015 at 18:38
It’s easy to knock successive governments (who doesn’t!) but For a bit of balance I can’t think of many countries whose taxpayers fund a squadron of historic wartime aircraft on the scale of the BBMF. I mean both in terms of aircraft and appearances.
To be honest Id rather see the money spent on endless memorials (not all, I recognise the importance of memorials both for reminding future generations but also as a focal point for vets and families, I just think we have an abundance) put into looking after the elderly in this country. An afternoon spent chatting to a veteran (or anyone for that matter) is more worthwhile than waving at at aircraft flying over.
Not that it is a mutually exclusive thing but I think the people behind historic aviation are infinitely more important than the aircraft. Moggy replied that he believed aircraft are alive in another thread and we all know where he is coming from but at the end of the day id rather see people queuing up to chat to Second World War veterans than the machines they flew. When I see that I think that it is the greatest tribute. Not a block of granite or flypast.
My humble opinion.
By: David_Kavangh - 3rd April 2015 at 18:12
VE Day hasn’t been forgotten in UK. It’s been confirmed today that Her Maj will be attending.
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/ve-day-70th-anniversary
For us ex Civil Servants, we know that running the country carries on regardless of General Elections and no matter which party thinks it’s in power!
By: CADman - 3rd April 2015 at 17:53
Not seen any 70th anniversary end of WW2 events planned for London 8th May. Sadly the only thing on the Governments mind will be who still has a job !!!
(For our international viewers I will explain that the United Kingdom has a country wide general election on 7th May)
and it may be that those in power today will not be in power on 8th May, and in any case they either dont give a t***s or are too scared about upsetting the Germans.
By: Wings43 - 3rd April 2015 at 16:32
I think it was in 2005 ( correct me if I’m wrong ) that there was a flypast by a large formation of ww2 aircraft over the mall in London. It may not have been 60 aircraft but it was impressive. 2 B25s, 2 B17s and a Lanc poppy drop amongst other aircraft.
By: David_Kavangh - 3rd April 2015 at 16:26
An ambitious project, I wish them well with it. Assuming the FAA’s requirements can be met, it will all come down to sponsorship as to whether their plans can be achieved or not. Gathering that many aircraft from all corners of the US certainly won’t be cheap!
The Americans will make this happen! They don’t have the cynicism of some British. Just take a look at the sponsors.
By: DavidIsby - 3rd April 2015 at 15:59
By: Matt Poole - 24th January 2015 at 16:50
Very ambitious, and thrilling! Washington weather in early May is inconsistent, with possibilities ranging between perfect calm and sunny conditions to unstable spring t-storms. One would hope there can be a contingency date, as the logistics for pulling off the flypast can’t be cheap.
I wish them well for this 70th anniversary extravaganza. And I’ll have no excuse not to be there.
By: Mike J - 24th January 2015 at 16:13
There are two flying, CAF’s and Collings.
By: rutley78 - 24th January 2015 at 15:01
I’m intrigued by the Ploesti Raid part, B24 Liberators. Where are the others coming from?
By: Mike J - 23rd January 2015 at 16:59
An ambitious project, I wish them well with it. Assuming the FAA’s requirements can be met, it will all come down to sponsorship as to whether their plans can be achieved or not. Gathering that many aircraft from all corners of the US certainly won’t be cheap!
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January 23, 2015 at 4:40 pm