WWII planes at Wheeling airport all weekend

Mel Markson of Mount Prospect wanted to be in the Air Force during World War II, but he was too young.

The Korean War veteran was grateful Friday for the chance to see inside a B-17 bomber parked at Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling.

"It's amazing the bravery of the kids that flew these things especially when people were shooting at (them)," Markson said. "Thank God somebody is preserving these airplanes so the next generation can see what they look like and what these kids went through. We too soon forget about those guys that gave their lives."

The B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator, both heavy bombers, and a P-51 Mustang fighter are on display through Monday at the airport as part of the Wings of Freedom Tour. There will be an airport open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The traveling World War II museum does about 110 stops a year nationwide and was in Aurora before arriving in Wheeling. The goal of the tour is to honor veterans, educate the younger generation, and allow more people to experience these airplanes up close, said Rob Collings, whose parents established The Collings Foundation that conducts the tour.

"By taking them out and flying them all over the country you get a few million people seeing them," Collings said.

The B-24 Liberator is the most produced American military aircraft of all time.

"This is the last one flying," Collings said.

A couple of dozen visitors stopped by the airport Friday to view the planes.

Rich Zych of Streamwood was 8 years old when his father returned in 1945 from World War II.

"Ever since then I wanted to step on a B-17," he said. "My dream has come true."

The Wings of Freedom Tour will travel to West Chicago next Friday, July 30 and be on display through Aug. 2 at the DuPage Flight Center at DuPage Airport.