Preparing World War II-era planes to fly
Dozens of vintage military aircraft from World War II flew over the nation’s capital to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
- Crew chief Bobby Ripps looks out at one of the engines of a 1944 B-25 bomber before taking off from the Culpeper (Va.) Regional Airport on Wednesday, May 6, 2015. The vintage war planes will take part in the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover on Friday. The planes will fly in formation above Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the allied victory in Europe. (Michael E. Ruane/Washington Post)
- Pilot Beth Jenkins, left, second in command, and crew member Bruce Pauley look over a vintage 1944 B-25 bomber before flying from the Culpeper Regional Airport on May 6, 2015 in Culpeper, Va. The vintage war planes will take part in the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover on Friday. The planes will fly in formation above Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the allied victory in Europe. (Michael E. Ruane/The Washington Post)
- A B-29 bomber flies over Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- A visitor walks past a B-29 bomber after it took part in a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft at Manassas Regional Airport, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- A crew member for a B-24 bomber checks the engines after a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft at Manassas Regional Airport, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- Visitors point as they look at the glass on a B-25 Mitchell bomber before a practice flight with dozens of other World War II era aircraft over Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- A crew member cleans the glass on a B-25 Mitchell bomber before a practice flight with dozens of other World War II era aircraft over Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- A B-25 Mitchell bomber flies in formation with dozens of other World War II era aircraft over Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- The piolts of a B-25 Mitchell bomber fly in formation with dozens of other World War II era aircraft over Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- A B-25 Mitchell bomber flies in formation with dozens of other World War II era aircraft over Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- Two B-25 Mitchell bombers fly in formation with dozens of other World War II era aircraft over Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- A Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane sits prior to a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft near Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- The pilot of a P51 Mustang waves the American flag after a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft at Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- Airplane crew members check their engines as another plane lands after a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft at Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- A B-17 bomber crew member looks out of the cockpit window after a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft at Manassas Regional Airport, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- A woman with the Commemorative Air Force polishes a P51 Mustang airplane prior to a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft near Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- A Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane sits on the tarmac prior to a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft near Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Pilot and owner Karl Stoltzfu flies a Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane with co-pilot Dan Gleason (R) during a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft near Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- A Douglas C-53 Skytrooper flies alongside as seen from the window of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane during a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft near Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Pilot and owner Karl Stoltzfu flies a Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane during a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft near Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Pilot and owner Karl Stoltzfu flies a Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane during a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft near Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Pilot and owner Karl Stoltzfu flies a Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane during a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft near Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Pilot and owner Karl Stoltzfu completes a preflight check of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane prior to a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft at Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Dan Gleason completes a preflight check of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane prior to a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft at Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Dan Gleason completes a preflight check of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane prior to a practice flight with dozens of World War II era aircraft at Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- A Douglas C-53 Skytrooper airplane does a practice flight near Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. Dozens of World War II era planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.(Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- P-51 World War II era aircraft sit on the tarmac as dozens of World War II era airplanes gather Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. The planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- A crew member climbs in to the cockpit of a World War II era aircraft as dozens of World War II era airplanes gather Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. The planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- World War II era trainer aircraft practice formation flying over Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. The planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- World War II era trainer aircraft practice formation flying over Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. The planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- World War II era aircraft practice formation flying over Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. The planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Workers with the Texas Flying Legends Museum, paint stripes on a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper airplane as dozens of World War II era aircraft gather at Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. The planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Eric Trueblood (L) and Nick Knobil (R), with the Texas Flying Legends Museum, paint stripes on a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper airplane as dozens of World War II era aircraft gather at Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. The planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Workers with the Texas Flying Legends Museum, paint stripes on a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper airplane as dozens of World War II era aircraft gather at Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. The planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- Eric Trueblood (L) and Nick Knobil (R), with the Texas Flying Legends Museum, paint stripes on a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper airplane as dozens of World War II era aircraft gather at Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. The planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- World War II veteran Jerry Yellin, a former P51 fighter pilot, stands in front of a P51 airplane as dozens of World War II era aircraft gather at Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. The planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Yellin flew in the last combat mission over Japan. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- World War II veteran Jerry Yellin, a former P51 fighter pilot, stands in front of a P51 airplane as dozens of World War II era aircraft gather at Culpeper Regional Airport in Brandy Station, Virginia, May 7, 2015. The planes will fly past the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 8, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Yellin flew in the last combat mission over Japan. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- A vintage World War II B29 bomber flies down the National Mall May 8, 2015 in Washington, DC. Fifty-six vintage war planes took part in a flyover near the WWII memorial for the 70th anniversary Victory in Europe celebration. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
- World War II veterans and their families watch as dozens of World War II era military airplanes fly over the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, May 8, 2015, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- World War II veterans and their families watch as dozens of World War II era military airplanes fly over the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, May 8, 2015, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- A Boeing B-29 Superfortress flies over the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, May 8, 2015, during the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
- WWII-era planes fly over the Washington Monument during the Arsenal of Democracy, a WWII plane flyover for the 70th anniversary of V-E Day in Washington, DC, on May 8 2015. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images)
- The North American B-25 Mitchell bombers, fly the Doolittle Raid formation during a flyover over near the Washington Monument over Washington, Friday, May 8, 2015. The World War II vintage aircrafts were marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe on May 8, 1945, and commemorate the Allied victory in Europe during World War II. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)