Airbase Georgia bringing historic World War II planes to Augusta Regional Airport
AUGUSTA — World War II-era planes will be on display as part of a first-time event coming to the CSRA in September.
Airbase Georgia will bring World War II aircraft to Augusta and Augusta Regional Airport as part of its Georgia Barnstorming Tour, giving people a chance to ride in the planes and learn about their roles in American history.
The event, which will take place at Augusta Regional Airport on Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature the P-51 Mustang and three trainers: an LT-6 Mosqutio, a PT-19 and a T-34.
"We're happy to bring this historic fleet to Augusta," Airbase Leader Mark Richards said in a media release. "The P-51 was an incredible guardian for American bombers over Germany and our PT-19 helped train the Tuskegee Airmen in Alabama."
The tour is making stops in Toccoa, Atlanta, Macon, Athens and other locations across Georgia.
"This tour will offer amazing experiences to people across the state," Richards said. "It helps fulfill our mission of honoring the Greatest Generation who flew these warbirds, and it helps enable school-age children to connect with the WWII history these planes represent. We also hope this tour will encourage more young people to consider careers in aviation."
Steve Forsyth, public information officer for Airspace Georgia, said the organization has seven World War II aircraft that can be taken out to fly.
"We decided that we would come to smaller towns and cities in Georgia and take most of our planes, go to the airports for people who wouldn't come to Peachtree City," he said.
Forsyth said the planes are around 80 years old and are maintained by volunteer mechanics and pilots.
"It's a good group of pilots who really love what they are doing, and they really love taking people up for rides," he said.
Forsyth said this is the first year they decided to travel to six cities, and tickets for the most popular flights P-51 Mustang which tickets are already sold out. There is a waitlist for that plan.
The LP-6 Mosquito is the only aircraft available for acrobatic rides.
"We love to talk to be people about these planes and their history and Peachtree City at Airspace Georgia," he said, adding that he wants the public to learn about the aircraft and the generation of people who flew them.
"The country came together and as one, and it was an amazing piece of history, and we don't want it to forgotten," he said.
Admission to see the planes is free, but there is a fee for rides. Riders must be at least 12 years old.
Those interested in riding the planes in Augusta or other locations can visit airbasegeorgia.org/event/augusta-rides-day .
