Published: November 07, 2009 11:30 pm      

B-25 event still on Cumberland Goes to War schedule

War bird community comes to rescue after pilot injured in home fall

WILEY FORD, W.Va. — Back in the day, bomber crews and ground crews did what they had to do to get planes on the flight line and ready for the next mission. Turns out, the Cumberland Goes To War B-25 fly-in to the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport will be true to that tradition.

Grounded by bad weather in 2008 at the departure point at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, Russ Strine’s “Briefing Time” B-25 crew was forced to scrub its planned trip here.

This year, pilot Strine fell in a home accident last week and suffered a minor neck fracture that will ground him until early next year. Determined not to scratch from Cumberland two years in a row, Strine contacted good friend and fellow war bird enthusiast Larry Kelly, of Delaware.

Kelly’s polished aluminum B-25J, Panchito, is decorated as a tribute to a B-25 medium bomber that flew in the Central Pacific with the 396 Bomb Squadron, 41st Bomb Group, 7th Air Force. The story of Panchito’s history and restoration can be found at www.ragwingsandradials.com.

Panchito will fly into the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport with a planned touchdown at 2 p.m. Friday. The plane will be available for public inspection in the tie-down area behind the Runway Café on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.to 3 p.m.; and Sunday beginning at noon. Departure is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday.

The equipment swap also carries a potential silver lining for aviation enthusiasts.

Panchito is configured and licensed for fly-along rides. These rides cost $375 per person with proceeds going toward continued maintenance and restoration of the aircraft. Fly-alongs can be conducted in groups of three passengers, who will enjoy a 30-minute flight in the immediate air space of the city of Cumberland. To reserve space, call McClarran & Williams at (301) 724-2453.

The fly-in is sponsored by the Allegany County Office of Tourism, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, city of Cumberland, Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority, Potomac Highlands Airport Authority and National Road Autosport.