WWII National Capital Flyover – May 8, 2015

[PotomacCyclist]

If you missed the smaller WWII-era plane flyover last year, you have another chance to see the skies over D.C. filled with WWII-era planes.

From the Smithsonian announcement:

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the war that changed the United States forever. To honor the 16 million who served in the U.S. armed forces during World War 2 and to spotlight the essential role that aircraft played in U.S. victory, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association has led an effort to bring one of the largest privately owned collections of WW2 airplanes ever assembled to Washington, D.C. to fly over the National Mall on May 8, the 70th anniversary of VE day (the public holiday to mark the Allied victory in Europe). The “Arsenal of Democracy” aircraft will fly over the Mall in 14 formations, beginning at 12:10 p.m. As the media sponsor of the event, Air & Space/Smithsonian magazine has created recognition cards for viewing on a smartphone (at airspacemag.com/spotter) to help you identify the airplanes as they fly overhead. (Or download a PDF of the spotter cards here.) You can also find the histories of these airplanes here, presented in the order the formations will fly over the Mall.

From Air & Space Magazine:

On May 8, 2015, a large formation of World War 2 fighters, bombers, trainers, and transports will fly over the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to honor veterans on the 70th anniversary of VE Day.

As the media sponsor for the flyover, Air & Space/Smithsonian has produced World War 2-era airplane spotter cards, similar to what the soldiers used, which you can download as a PDF or view on your smartphone (at airspacemag.com/spotter), to help identify the aircraft flying overhead on May 8. You also can get a digital copy of our May 2015 special issue on World War II for your iPad, Nook, and Kindle, or buy print editions at the National Air and Space Museum locations on the National Mall and at Udvar-Hazy in Chantilly, Virginia, or subscribe to get future issues here.

Schedule for Friday, May 8, 2015

10:30 a.m.: Program begins at World War II Memorial. (Register here)

12:10 p.m.: The first formation flies over the Lincoln Memorial
 at an altitude of 1000 feet.

12:35 p.m.: Missing Man Formation flies over the Lincoln Memorial to conclude the flyover.

Though there will be plenty of places throughout Virginia and D.C. to see the flyover, we picked a few of what should be the best viewing spots, as marked above on the map:

– U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial / Netherlands Carillon
– Arlington Memorial Bridge
– Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
– World War II Memorial
– Washington Monument
– National Air and Space Museum
– Tidal Basin / Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
– Thomas Jefferson Memorial
– Hains Point
– Gravelly Point Park

During the event, follow along with us on Twitter at @airspacemag and #WW2Flyover

As many as 20 of the aircraft in the flyover also will appear on static display at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center for Family Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. Admission is free, but parking is $15 at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

*Flyover is weather permitting. Rain date is May 9, 2015.

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Due to factors such as weather or mechanical issues, participating aircraft are subject to change without notice.

We’ll continue to update this post with more information as we get closer to the event.

Follow us: @AirSpaceMag on Twitter

http://www.airspacemag.com/airspacemag/national-mall-flyover-details-180954735/

http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/ww2-70th-anniversary-flyover-180954736/

Topic

[Starduster]

I had to drive into DC to pick up my wife during that time, and got an unexpectly GOOD view as the B29 “Fifi” came into view rounding Rosslyn. Viewed head-on, then turning toward the Mall. Just marveling how different the profile was compared to current aircraft. When on the 14th St Bridge, looked right and got to see it climb majestically away. Did have to be extra careful around everyone else, moving and parked on the shoulders.

A guy who rode with us this morning was at Gravelly Point and regretted it- too far away. This is, until the Curtiss Helldiver broke off from his group of Navy planes (I saw that from 395) to come in for a landing at DCA.

[PotomacCyclist]

I saw this picture on Yahoo News/AP, showing the crowds on the western part of the National Mall:

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[PotomacCyclist]

I saw this report too:

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/2015/05/08/bicyclist-struck-by-car-near-wwii-memorial/26968907/

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) — A bicyclist was struck Friday morning not far from the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The collision was reported at 5:41 a.m. at 1750 Independence Avenue NW near 17th St., according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

We’re told that the bicyclist is 19 years old. He suffered some broken bones but will be okay.

The driver of the vehicle that hit the bicyclist appears to have stayed at the scene.

United States Park Police are now handling the incident.

Later Friday, there will be a special ceremony at the WWII Memorial for the 70th anniversary of Victory Day.

[PotomacCyclist]

Video of the complete flyover event, posted on the official website:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MptBCBHZrj0

There is also video of the commemoration ceremony that morning:

http://events.dacast.com/?webcast_id=9

[Brendan von Buckingham]

It was actually a TBM Avenger torpedo bomber. Here’s the cockpit video of his approach over Palisades, his aborted turn into the Mall, and his emergency landing at National. Pretty neat.

[PotomacCyclist]

Interesting overhead view of DC, Arlington and the Potomac River. Where was that video posted?

[PotomacCyclist]

Apparently there was another WWII-era plane flyover last Friday. The planes were supposed to be visible from Arlington and Alexandria. I didn’t hear about it until today. Did anyone see the planes? Did anyone even know about this? There wasn’t much press, just one article on the NBC Washington site.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/World-War-II-Era-Planes-Fly-Over-DC-Area-Military-Landmarks-Friday-331604682.html

There weren’t as many planes this time, and no B-29 bomber.

[dasgeh]

I didn’t see anything last Friday, but last Wednesday (I think) I saw a bunch of transport helicopters fly over our house, twice, going the same direction. And yesterday something very loud flew over our house again, but I didn’t see it.

[JustinW]

@PotomacCyclist 126275 wrote:

Apparently there was another WWII-era plane flyover last Friday. The planes were supposed to be visible from Arlington and Alexandria. I didn’t hear about it until today. Did anyone see the planes? Did anyone even know about this? There wasn’t much press, just one article on the NBC Washington site.

Last Friday midday there was a flight of maybe 10 aircraft, all T-6s/SNJs lead by one B-25. Made a lovely noise flying over my office near Ballston. I knew about the flight but had forgotten, and the noise was a quick reminder. Got outside in time to catch them as the flew away. Lovely sight…

[Author]

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