World War II planes to fly over Washington, D.C. today

The sky over the nation’s capital today will fill with a show of military might that dates back to World War II.

A total of 52 World War II-era planes – including the P-38 Lightning, the P-51 Mustang, and the B-29 Superfortress – will fly over the U.S. Capital at starting at 12:10 p.m. to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The flyover will also feature 15 historically sequenced formations that represent major battles fought during the war.

Online viewers may watch a live-streamed webcast of the flyover between noon and 1 p.m., and a wreath laying ceremony that begins prior to the flyover at 10:30 a.m. at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall.

Dubbed the “Arsenal of Democracy,” the planes will fly up the Potomac River and then over the National Mall, and then over the U.S. Capitol. When finished, the squadron will land at the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport.

The event aims to honor veterans who served in the war.

“We couldn’t drive tanks down Massachusetts Avenue or put boats in the Tidal Basin, but we could do this,” said John Cudahy, an event organizer with the National Council of Airshows.

See more photos of World War II planes at Manassas Regional Airport 

Some of the planes that will participate in the planned flyover were on display yesterday at the Manassas Regional Airport. Onlookers took photos while some enthusiasts given rides in the planes. Government officials and event organizers joined World War II veterans who spoke before 90 media organization’s that packed the airport terminal for a press conference.

“I lived my dreams. I got to do what every fighter pilot wants to do: Engage the enemy and win,” said Bud Anderson, of California.

Other veterans talked about the more than $1 million annual cost to keep these seven-decade old planes in the air, as flying museums. Of the B-17 bombers, 12,000 of them were made but only 11 still fly today. The B-17 slated to fly over Washington today was built in July 1945.

“When we had this idea a year ago, the only thing in our minds was to honor you, our veterans,” said Peter Bunce, an event organizer during the press conference.

Once in the air today, the planes will fly at 1,000 during the event. Traffic at Regan National Airport will halt between noon and 1 p.m. for the flyover. If it rains and Friday’s event is postponed, the planes will fly on Saturday.

Many of the planes staged at Manassas Airport Thursday are maintained by the Texas Flying Rangers and the Commemorative Air Force.