The Wandering Disciple

Based off the Beechcraft Bonanza, the D-45 was a variant to the T-34 Mentor used in pilot training by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. This D-45 seen at Venice Airport was restored to resemble a Navy training aircraft. (Photo: May 19, 2012)

During World War II, the ally bomber fleets were suffering heavy losses due to the German Luftwaffe. To counter these losses, the US Army Air Forces introduced the P-51 Mustang. The faster, more maneuverable Mustangs were able to help protect the slow moving bombers resulting in more effective raid and leading to the ally air superiority which helped to win the war. This Mustang photographed here is a new addition to the Collings Foundation fleet and can be seen during the Wings of Freedom tour. (Photo: February 16, 2017)

When it was initially developed, the B-25 Mitchell was designed to be a land-based bomber.  That was until the Pearl Harbor invasion and a vision by Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle who envisioned a carrier based bombing mission that would strike the heart of Japan using modified B-25's.  On April 18, 1942 the sixteen modifed B-25's departed the deck of the USS Hornet on a bombing mission that struck Tokyo.  Although all but one of the B-25's launched were lost, the mission improved the morale of the American troops.  This B-25 is one of the remaining airworthy B-25's and is under the operation of the Collings Foundation.  It travels the country during the Wings of Freedom Tour, a flying memorial to World War II aviation.  (Photo: February 16, 2017)

Today we made our weekly trip to the beach at South Brohard Park and while my wife and son looked for shells and sharks teeth, I watched the air traffic into Venice Municipal Airport.  Here is a snap shot of what we saw today: Cessna Skyhawk - N655PD Piper Cherokee - N2914B Ultravia Pelican Sport 600 - N25881  Robinson R-22 - N80407  Cirrus SR-22 - N169DW Bell 407 - N911VS Cessna 310 - N5794M Cessna Skyhawk - N71FC  Cirrus SR-20 - N349CD 

Here are the aircraft seen during today's visit to South Brohard Beach at the base of Venice Municipal Airport. O-2 Skymaster - N373AZ Piper Super Cruiser - N4136M Cessna Citation Excel - N60S  Cessna 150 - N5223Q

The Collings Foundation B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine-O-Nine" approaches Venice Municipal Airport. The B-17 was one of the most popular US bomber during the World War II campaign. This B-17 joins the B-24 Liberator and the P-51 Mustang as part of the Collings Foundation's Wings of Freedom Tour. The tour will be in Venice through Sunday. (Photo: February 11, 2016)

The Collings Foundations P-51 Mustang "Betty Jane" makes an arrival at Venice Municipal Airport for the Wings of Freedom tour.  In addition to touring these great planes, riders can even take to the skies on these World War II icons to help support the Collings Foundation.  (Photo: February 11, 2016)

The B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft" lands at Venice Municipal Airport, marking the start of the Wings of Freedom tour in Venice, Florida.  Each year in Febrauary, the Collings Foundation makes a stop in Venice with a trio of World War II era aircraft including the B-24 along with a B-17 Flying Fortress and a P-51 Mustang.  The Wings of Freedom tour will be in Venice through the weekend.  (Photo: February 11, 2016)

A D-1 Derringer departs Venice Municipal Airport on a sunny Sunday afternoon.  The D-1 was developed by the Hi-Shear Corporation and built by the Wing Aircraft Corporation.  The design struggled and eventually cause a collapse of the model after just twelve aircraft were built.  (Photo: January 25, 2015)

The P-51 Mustang “Betty Jane” performs maneuvers during the Wings of Freedom Tour stop at Venice Municipal Airport. Operated by the Collings Foundation, P-51 joins the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-24 Liberator in the cross country tour to highlight World War II aviation. (Photo: January 25, 2014)

A Piper Cub approached Venice Municipal Airport. The airport located on the island of Venice is popular spot for aviation enthusiasts to fly out of. (Photo: March 19, 2013)

The Stearman Model 75 is a World War II era bi-plane that was used by the US Army Air Force and the US Navy as a training aircraft. Introduced in 1934, over 9,000 Model 75's were built by Stearman Aircraft, a subsidiary of Boeing. Following the war, the Model 75 entered into the civilian world in various uses. (Photo: May 19, 2012)

Venice, Florida: The City of Venice continued their 85th Anniversary by hosting Armed Forces Day at the Venice Municipal Airport. The event showcased the city’s importance as a military base during World War II. The event kicked off with a static air show at the Venice Municipal Airport. The show featured classic cars as well as a few vintage aircraft. Included in the display were the Stearman Model 75, Stearman PT-17, Cessna Skymaster and the North American Navion to name a few. It also showcased the history of the base. Afterwards the event moved over to the former Officer’s Club for a 40’s dance. Venice’s history in military aviation began in 1941 when the citizens of Venice petition Washington DC to open a base in Venice by donating 3,000 acres of land to the federal government. The War Department agreed and eventually opened the US Army Air Base. The Third Air Force worked out of the base during World War II. The base was decommissioned in 1946 following the end of...

Sarasota, Florida: The Wings of Freedom Tour made a stop on the Suncoast, spending just under a week between the Venice Municipal Airport and the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The three warbirds owned by the Collings Foundation helped educate visitors about World War II aviation. The three warbirds that visited the Suncoast were the B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine”, the B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” and the P-51 Mustang “Betty Jane”. The “Nine O Nine” flew 140 bombing missions during World War II as a member of the 323rd Bombing Group. “Witchcraft” was a heavy bomber that flew 130 combat missions in World War II. “Betty Jane” was a P-51 Mustang that served as a combat fighter jet during World War II. The P-51 Mustang owned by Collings Foundation is a rare P-51, featuring a two seat razorback configuration. The tour’s first stop on the Suncoast was at the Venice Municipal Airport as part of the Venice Warbird Weekend. Following the weekend, the warbirds made ...