The Wandering Disciple

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)

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)

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)

The Collings Foundation's B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine-O'Nine" departs Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport during the Wings of Freedom Tour. The Wings of Freedom Tour travels the nation to demonstrate Word War II era aircraft including the B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 Liberator and the P-51 Mustang. (Photo: January 25, 2013)

The Collings Foundation's B-17 Flying Fortress takes off from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport of Friday as it heads to it's second stop on the Suncoast at Venice Municipal Airport. The B-17 joined the B-24 Liberator and P-51 Mustang on the Wings of Freedom tour's annual stop on the Suncoast. (Photo: January 25, 2013)

The B-24 Liberator was a heavy bomber used during World War II. The bomber manufactured by Consolidated Airlines was introduced in 1941 with over 18,000 being manufactured. The final B-24 was retired from service in 1968. The B-24 pictured here is operated by the Collings Foundation and tours the country in the Wings of Freedom tour. (Photo February 13, 2012)

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 ...