History flies on bomber's wings [With picture]

http://www.avpress.com/n/11/0511_s1.hts ^ | May 11, 2006 | ALLISON GATLIN

[BenLurkin]

Two generations of female pilots embraced in the shade beneath a World War II bomber's wings Wednesday afternoon - those who had flown such aircraft when they were new, during the war, and one flying them now as living history exhibits.

Flora Belle Reece and Ty Killen, former members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots corps during World War II, were on hand to greet the restored bombers from the Collings Foundation's "Wings of Freedom" tour as they arrived for a three-day stay at William J. Fox Airfield.

"It's great to be back," Killen said. "For a real-life beauty like this, it's been a long time," she said, gesturing to the impeccably restored B-24 Liberator beside her.

Killen has spent time in a B-24 cockpit as a co-pilot. Due to their size, women were not allowed to pilot the massive aircraft themselves, she said.

Reece thrilled to the sight of a pair of AT-6 World War II-era training aircraft providing escort to an incoming B-17 Flying Fortress. The WASP pilots spent much of their time flying the trainers.

"Wow! What a picture!" she said of the sight. "I never realized the AT-6 was considered a small plane. It looked little next to the B-17."

Reece towed targets behind a B-26 bomber used for the combat pilots' target practice. The B-26 is similar in size to the B-25 Mitchell bomber on display, but with a

[BenLurkin]

"PILOT TO PILOT - B-24 pilot Caroline Collings talks with former WASP Ty Killen on Wednesday at Lancaster's Gen. William J. Fox Airfield in front of a plane both have flown." BERNARD KANE/Valley Press

[Publius6961]

BUMP!

[rawhide]

Great story. It is obvious the young female pilot has a lot of respect, as she should, for the older female pilot.

[359Henrie]

Just got back from crawling in the B-17 ben, awesome. B-24's gone north with some maint issue.

[BenLurkin]

Thanks FRiend!

[359Henrie]

The B-25 had to crewed by midgets.