Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Live Event: World War II aircraft to pass over Loudoun County

To honor the heroes who fought in World War II (WWII) and those on the home front who produced the tanks, ships, and aircraft that enabled the United States and its Allies to achieve victory, one of the most diverse arrays of World War II aircraft ever assembled will fly through Loudoun County, Va., on Friday before passing over Washington, D.C. for the main event. The flying formation, known as Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover, is celebrating the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

The flyover will include dozens of WWII aircraft flying in 15 historically sequenced warbird formations overhead. The formations will represent major battles from Pearl Harbor through the final air assault on Japan, and concluding with a missing man formation to “Taps.” Never before has such a collection of WWII aircraft been assembled at one location, to honor the large assemblage of veterans gathered at the WWII Memorial for a ceremony.

The DCNewsroom blog in Purcellville, Va., will make “an attempt” to provide live video of the flying formations as they pass over Loudoun County. Check the “Live Video Events” page for details.

The first formation is estimated to be over the Lincoln Memorial
 at 12:10 p.m. EDT on Friday. The Arsenal of Democracy aircraft will depart from Culpeper Regional Airport and Manassas Regional Airport about 40 minutes before the flyover begins. These aircraft will then proceed to a holding point about 10 miles west of Leesburg where they will begin the flight down the Potomac River towards D.C. As they approach the Lincoln Memorial, they will turn East and proceed down Independence Avenue. At the completion of the flyover of the WWII Memorial, the aircraft will turn south and begin their flight down the Potomac River and back to their original airports.

On Saturday, a selection of the planes will be featured at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington Dulles International Airport for a one day exhibition. The display will be open to the public 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT. No advance tickets are required.

Stay tuned to the DCNewsroom for updates.

8 comments:

News Literacy Project said...

Suggestions welcome about ideal vantage points here in Loudoun to see this flyover. Thanks!

Keith Stein said...

Round Hill.

Unknown said...

Where in Round Hill would you suggest?

Keith Stein said...

I'm guessing the baseball field next to Round Hill Elementary School may be a good spot.

News Literacy Project said...

Franklin Park at the top of the hill where the arts center is should be pretty good too!

neomract29 said...

Would we see this at Lansdowne resort that sits on the Potomac

Unknown said...

Thank you for suggesting this. Great location today

Keith Stein said...

Glad I could help Sheri.