NEWS

World War II planes coming to Great Falls

Jenn Rowell
jrowell@greatfallstribune.com
The T-6 Texan that Bravo 369 is using the re-create the Lend-Lease route from Great Falls to Russia.

Several World War II-era planes are headed to Great Falls this spring and summer.

On April 27, Kingdom Air Corps will bring a DC3 aircraft to Great Falls International Airport for the public to view.

The plane was used during WWII to move cargo, troops and wounded.

The visit is part of a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe during WWII.

Kingdom Air Corps is also using the visit to highlight the significant role Great Falls played in the Lend-Lease program, in which the U.S. ferried aircraft to the Soviets to fight the Nazis.

Alan Anders, Jeff Geer, Mark Kandianis and Elizabeth Ackley were in Great Falls in June with a vintage T-6 Texan. They are recreating the Lend-Lease route that sent American made planes to the Russians during World War II.

In late July, members of Bravo 369 are scheduled to return to Great Falls with their vintage T-6 Texan, which was among the type of aircraft ferried along the route.

The Bravo 369 team is re-creating the Lend-Lease route to Fairbanks, Alaska, and then on to Russia this summer.

Both groups are looking for people who were involved in the Lend-Lease Program and are inviting the public to view the planes at the Great Falls airport.