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U.S. vintage aircraft fly over capital to mark World War II victory

Xinhua, May 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Diverse arrays of U.S. World War II aircraft flew over the capital Washington D.C. Friday, commemorating the 70th anniversary of World War II victory in Europe.

The Arsenal of Democracy Flyover, featuring dozens of World War II vintage military aircraft including the P-39 Airacobra, P-38 Lighting, B-25 Mitchell, B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-29 Superfortress flew over the National Mall area in Washington D.C. 12:10 p.m. at 1,000 feet altitude.

The aircraft flew in formation to represent the major battles of World War II. The famous B-29 Superfortress participated the flyover was the last of its type still flying. The plane that dropped the atomic bombs in Japan was a B-29 Superfortress.

Reagan National Airport was closed to flight arrivals and departures between noon and 1 p.m. Friday for the event.

On Friday morning, hundreds of people gathered at the National World War II Memorial to mark the victory day.

In the sound of war-time music, some aging veterans came in wheelchairs, with walkers and canes. The badges on their chests reminded people how they served the country in that never-to-be- forgotten war. A commemorative wreath-laying ceremony was held at the National World War II Memorial, which along with the flyover are expected to make it the biggest gathering since the memorial's dedication in 2004.

The Federal Aviation Administration which has approved the event said earlier that public interest will be served by "the educational and historic value of this single signature event in commemorating this significant milestone in history."

A selection of the historic airplanes will show outside the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on Saturday.

May 8, 1945 is the World War II Victory in Europe Day. Endite