CAMARILLO : Bombers on Display at Local Airport

A Liberator, reportedly the only fully restored B-24 bomber in the world still flying, landed at Camarillo Airport this week, delighting crowds of aircraft enthusiasts and history buffs.

The vintage World War II plane, along with a restored B-17 bomber, flew in from Van Nuys on Wednesday with several local World War II aviators as passengers. The planes and war memorabilia will be on display until 2 p.m. today. The charge to tour the interior of the planes is $7 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

This is the first time in almost 50 years that these two aircraft have flown together over Camarillo, said George Goodwin, a Ventura resident who piloted nearly 35 missions in a B-24 during World War II.

The aircraft, which are on a national tour, were restored by the Collings Foundation, a Massachusetts group that collects vintage automobiles and aircraft. The planes were rescued from the graveyard and fitted with new instruments, guns and authentic parts taken from other bombers, Goodwin said.

“Instead of putting them in a museum where only a handful of people can see them, the planes are being flown around the country so everybody can see them,” Goodwin said.