World War II Airplanes at Airport for the Weekend

A collection of rare World War II-era planes has returned to Beverly Airport this weekend for the first time in two years.

The Collings Foundation’s “Wings of Freedom” tour is at the airport, which is partly located in Wenham, for a three day visit from Sept. 20-22 with a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator and North American P-51 Mustang. The planes will be on display on the Beverly side of the airport, which is on L.P. Henderson Road off Cabot Street (Route 97) just south of the Wenham town line.

The B-17 is one of only 10 in flying condition in the country, the B-24J and Full Dual Control P-51C Mustang are the planes of their type still flying in the world.

The planes are open for tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under and there is no charge for World War II veterans.

In conjunction with the tour, the North Shore Old Car Club will set up a car show in the parking lot of the airport on Sunday, also on the Beverly side. It will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“It will be classics from all eras,” said Hunter Chaney, head of marketing for the Collings Foundation.

Admission to the car show is $5 with children under 12 free.

Before and after the tours of the planes on the ground, the planes are available for flights. Flights in the B-17 and B-24 are $425 per person. Flight training in the P-51 is $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for an hour.

To make a reservation for a flight, call 800-568-8924 or 978-562-9182.