Two iconic World War II bombers—including the world’s only remaining restored and airworthy B-24 Liberator—will land at Norwood Airport in two weeks as part of an interactive “airborne museum.” The historic B-24 and a B-17 Flying Fortress are scheduled to arrive in town courtesy of the Collings Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Stow that specializes in the restoration and preservation of vintage aircraft and automobiles.
The bombers, both of which saw combat during World War II, will be available for public viewing from August 25 through August 27. According to Frank Tedesco of Hull, a volunteer with the Collings Foundation and a WWII veteran who contributed to the $1.4 million B-24 restoration project, the national tour aims to bring history directly to the public. “Instead of a few thousand people seeing it (the B-24) on a (permanent) display, we restored it and fly it around the country for millions to see,” Tedesco said.
Now in the first year of a planned five-year national tour, the two aircraft have made approximately 80 stops since January. Tedesco noted that the visit to Norwood will be the bombers’ only appearance in the immediate area. While admission to view the aircraft on the tarmac is free, the foundation will charge a $4 fee for members of the public to step inside the historic bombers. To further help defray the significant costs of maintaining these vintage aircraft, the foundation will also offer commemorative T-shirts, hats, and a videotape documenting the bombers’ first post-restoration flight for sale. The aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Norwood at approximately 4 p.m. on August 25 and will depart for Providence at 3 p.m. on August 27.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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