Arrival of World War II Bombers Delayed
Rain and poor visual conditions forced the Commemorative Air Force to push back to Tuesday its trip to Martin State Airport.
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Poor weather conditions have forced the delay of the arrival of three World War II bombers, set to be at Martin State Airport Monday afternoon.
Commemorative Air Force spokeswoman Kim Pardon said the weather made it impossible for the three bombers—a B-29 "Fifi," a B-24 and a P-51 Mustang—to arrive in Middle River.
"Unfortunately, this happens from time to time," said Pardon, who added that the aircraft are coming from Lexington, KY. "The weather is not something we can always plan for."
Pardon said the delay will mean the bombers will now only be in Maryland on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The visit is part of the Maryland Aviation Museum's 100th anniversary celebration of the Glenn L. Martin Co.
Whether the bombers will be able to arrive tomorrow remains to be seen. According to the National Weather Service, there is an 80 percent chance of rain tonight before 2 a.m. and a 50 percent of additional precipitation and mostly cloud conditions on Tuesday afternoon.
Buzz Beeler
12:41 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
It makes sense to delay this event over the issues of safety.
The sad part is many of our young people have no idea of this historical event of the greatest struggle of human kind.
Evets
7:07 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
I agree. Sometimes I see cars sporting a bumper sticker stating, "War is not the answer." Guess that depends on the question. In the case of WW II, I wonder what alternative there was to war? Perhaps the last 'just war?' One wonders if our young people (and middle-agers like me) would respond as that generation did in the 40s.
At any rate, my dad was a crew member on a B-17 Flying Fortress in that war. He never spoke of his experiences, always changing the subject when it came up. I have always wanted to take a flight in one of those planes, but have not yet had the opportunity.
Scott Hoggard
1:08 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
I hope they can make it in tomorrow. And just a FYI, the B-29 and B-24 are bombers. The P-51 is a fighter.
Evets
7:30 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
Scott, you are basically correct, but the P-51 was capable of carrying 2 torpedo type bombs. However, they were almost exclusively used as escorts for bomber flights into Europe.
John K
11:46 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
The P-51 carried to drop tanks, which gave them longer range.