World War II-era planes flew in formation in Washington, D.C., on Friday to mark the 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Fifty six vintage planes flew over the National Mall as thousands of cheering spectators looked on during the 50-minute ceremony dubbed the “Arsenal of Democracy Flyover.”
Several different fighters and bombers were involved in the series of formations, including Curtiss P-40 Warhawks from the attack on Pearl Harbor. The former military planes did a sequence of formations that recounted major moments and battles of World War II.
On May 8, 1945, German troops laid down their weapons and surrendered to Allied and Soviet troops, ending five years of conflict in Europe. Annual commemorations honor those who sacrificed their lives to make peace in Europe possible.
One of the planes involved in the flyover had to make an emergency landing at Reagan National Airport, due to a fire onboard, but managed to land safely. Flights over the National Mall are usually prohibited as it is some of the most highly secured and restricted airspace in the world.
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