Part of May 8 V-E Day 70th anniversary flyover of DC to originate at Manassas Airport

On Friday May 8, 2015, the 70th anniversary of V-E Day commemorating the end of the war in Europe, World War II bombers and fighters will fly together in historic group formations directly over Washington, DC.  The planes will originate from Manassas Regional Airport and Culpeper Regional Airport.

The first planes are expected to arrive over the nation’s capital beginning at noon. If bad weather forces a postponement, the flyover will take place on May 9.  Early arrivals, including the B-17 Texas Raider, a four-engine bomber, will be on display at the Manassas Airshow on May 2 and offer rides and tours May 3, 5 and 6.  Admission to the airshow is free to the public.

The other three big bombersFifi, the only B-29 still flying; Diamond Lil, the oldest remaining B-24; and Aluminum Overcast, a B-17G built in 1945. participating in the flyover will be open May 9-13 for cockpit tours at the Manassas Regional Airport from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a fee. includes the opportunity to go aboard and walk through all three bombers on the ground.

Also on display at the Manassas Regional Airport will be smaller planes participating in the flyover, like Gunfighter, a P-51 fighter plane; the only flying SB2C Hell Diver, a Navy dive bomber; and the twin-engine Bucket of Bolts C-45 Expeditor, a multi-engine trainer used for light cargo and as a VIP transport aircraft during the war.

For more information visit http://www.manassascity.org/airportevents.