Dozens of WWII aircraft will take to the skies this Friday, September 25, in honor of V-E Day.
Don’t forget to look up this Friday Washingtonians! Nearly 70 WWII-era airplanes will be cruising the skies for the 75th anniversary of V-E Day, the day in which World War II ended.
Friday’s event, which has been organized by the Arsenal of Democracy group, was set to take place earlier in May along with the opening of the Eisenhower Memorial but was postponed due to COVID-19. The last flyover to take place in DC occurred this past May when the Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force’s Thunderbirds flew over the District to honor essential workers.
Vintage warbirds will take to the skies in a scheduled flyover that will include various types of planes such as the FG-1D Corsair, the P-51 Mustang Lopes Hope, the FM-2 Wildcat and the Spitfire. The aircraft will fly south over the Potomac River from Northern Virginia with the first formation scheduled to fly over Lincoln Memorial at 11:30 am. Each of the formations will represent the War’s major battles, according to organizers, and will conclude with a missing man formation.
Arsenal of Democracy organizers are encouraging spectators to observe social distancing guidelines and have suggested some of the best spots from which to watch the event including the National Mall, the Key Bridge, and the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria.
If you prefer to stay at home, the flyover will also be live-streamed online on Arsenal of Democracy’s website starting Friday at 10 am.
See also: 20,000 Flags Have Been Planted On The National Mall In Honor Of All The Lives Lost To COVID-19
[Featured image: Arsenal of Democracy via Facebook]