One of The Largest Flyovers In D.C. History To Take Place In May

[mahatmakanejeeves]

One of The Largest Flyovers In D.C. History To Take Place In May

Matt Cohen in News on Feb 6, 2015 10:32 am

If you happen to notice (and really, how could you not), dozens of vintage fighter jets planes will fly over the National Mall on May 8, don't worry, it doesn't mean we're under attack from some time-traveling foes.

On Friday May 8, the Arsenal of Democracy is hosting a flyover to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the World War II victory in Europe. The flyover claims to be the largest amount of aircrafts to fly over D.C. ... According to a release, more than 70 "warbirds representing the major battles of World War II" will fly over the D.C., from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol, in special "historically sequenced formations."

The whole celebration kicks off on May 7, with a victory gala celebration at the Air & Space Museum, which will feature special guests to honor "our nation's greatest generation." The flyover will occur the next day with formations and aircrafts that honor the "major battles of World War II, from Pearl Harbor through the final air offensive to defeat Japan."

You can find more information about the flyover formations and aircrafts here.

[longship]

1. The Commemorative Air Force.

I have seen them in action twice. Once when I worked at Boeing Wichita, and the second time at an air show in SoCal.

Those airplanes are incredible, and real history. They are babied and kept in flying trim by a dedicated team of historians and old-timers. To see them fly is an amazing experience. To be able to walk aboard them is a real treat. (They often have tours.) Standing at a gunner's station in a B-17 is awesome, even on the ground, as is sitting in the bombardier's seat in the nose.

And there are so many WWII flying hardware still in service, all babied and kept in authentic trim and shape.

A fly-over of these machines is not to be missed. If they have a ground level exhibition, make travel plans for that, too. These birds were awesome.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. The last time there was a flyover, the planes were kept at

Warrenton or Culpeper. I can look it up.

From October:

Updated: World War II Planes to Fly Over Arlington Saturday

Dozens of WWII aircraft to fly in formation over Northern Virginia today

Posted: Friday, October 10, 2014 6:00 am

Look up in the sky around lunchtime today and you may get to see a large collection of World War II aircraft flying over in formation. ... It’s called the Potomac Flight, and it will involve about 30 planes flying in restricted airspace over the Washington area to honor the nation’s veterans. The “once in a lifetime” event kicks off the 15th Annual Culpeper Air Fest this weekend, according to a news release.

The Potomac Flight aircraft will leave Culpeper Regional Airport around 11:30 a.m. and fly in formation along the Potomac River through Northern Virginia, soaring over Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon around 12:30 p.m.

The flight route will take the formation first near Manassas, Woodbridge, Clinton, Md., Oxon Hill, Md., and Andrews Air Force Base, and then over the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery. The formation will then begin its return to Culpeper as it flies over Arlington, Annandale, Burke and Manassas.

Aircraft in the formation will include a B-25 bomber, a P-51 Mustang and approximately 28 T-6 Texans. During the flyover, you may see “performance smoke” used as part of the demonstration. ... The flight was coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Defense and the Transportation Security Agency.

For more information, see Culpeper Air Fest.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. How To Watch Today's World War II Flyover Over the Mall

How To Watch Today's World War II Flyover Over the Mall

Courtesy of the Arsenal of Democracy.

Rachel Sadon in Arts & Entertainment on May 8, 2015 10:15 am

The warbirds are coming. A flyover of more than 50 vintage military planes, dubbed the Arsenal of Democracy, will roar over the Mall this afternoon in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the World War II victory in Europe.

Starting approximately at 12:10 p.m., the first formation of WW II-era aircraft is set to pass overhead at the Lincoln Memorial and continue a flight path east before turning just past the U.S. Capitol. They'll fly at an altitude of about 1,000 feet.

Take a long lunch and get to the National Mall, atop a rooftop on Independence Avenue, Hains Point, Gravelly Point Park, Arlington Memorial Bridge, or a space with clear views in Rosslyn or near Nationals Park. The planes are expected to be in D.C. airspace for about 40 minutes.

A guide to the 19 World War II planes that flew over D.C. today for V-E Day