14 warbirds to WWII's anniversary

Fourteen vintage aircraft, including a 1944 B-25 bomber, are headed to Hawaii, courtesy of a Navy lift onboard the USS Essex, for aerial flyovers commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII. Planners are moving forward with the Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 celebration in the face of a stubborn coronavirus. David Prescott of New York sent his B-25 “Old Glory” to San Diego to make the trip to Hawaii on the Essex, an amphib with a flat top capable of hosting short-takeoff aircraft including F-35B fighters, helicopters and V-22 Ospreys. More than 30 WWII vets are expected to attend. “It’s probably one of the last times (some of the vets) will be able to see this. They are up there in age,” Prescott said. The B-25 flew at least one war-time bombing mission over Italy. (Source: Stars and Stripes 08/04/20) https://www.stripes.com/lifestyle/military-history/vintage-warbirds-aboard-uss-essex-on-their-way-to-hawaii-for-end-of-wwii-anniversary-1.640006