Update 5/7/20: Due to expected inclement weather, the Fight to the Finish Flyover has been rescheduled to Sunday, May 10, 2020 starting at 2pm. It was moved from its original date of Friday, May 8, 2020. The original article below has been updated to reflect the new information. The flight path has not been changed.
Step outside and gaze into the skies when Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM) presents the free Fight to the Finish Flyover, featuring almost 30 rare and historic warbirds, in the skies over Houston on Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 2pm.
This epic aviation event will commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), which signaled the end of World War II in Europe.
After almost two months of shutdown in response to the Coronavirus, the Fight to the Finish Flyover will encourage everyone to step outside and enjoy a moment of patriotic distraction and marvel at the rare WWII warbirds flying overhead from the safety of their homes.
Note that Lone Star Flight Museum, and its parking lot, will not be open to the public. Do not travel to a “viewing area” to see the planes. The FAA-approved flight path was designed to allow spectators to see the aircraft from the safety of their homes.
Rescheduled From Original Date for Expected Inclement Weather
Low wind, clear skies and good visibility are imperative for a safe flight of any kind.
The forecast for the original date—on Friday, May 8, 2020—predicted possible funnel clouds, heavy thunderstorms and windy conditions. And the forecast for Saturday, May 9, 2020 includes cloudy skies and possible thunderstorms.
Given that the most ideal conditions for a flight that is safe and visible to all spectators will be on Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 2pm, the flight was prudently rescheduled for that time.
Flight Plan
The flyover will take off from Ellington Airport around 2pm and fly a 120-mile flight plan over the skies of the Greater Houston area.
The historic flight will last just over one hour, landing back at Ellington Airport approximately an hour later. More detailed flight start and stop times will be provided before the weekend begins and will added here.
The planes will fly over the following areas.
- Pasadena
- San Jacinto Monument in La Porte
- University of Houston-Main Campus
- Downtown Houston
- Memorial Park
- Acres Homes
- Houston National Cemetery
- Spring-Cypress
- Cinco Ranch
- Mission Bend
- West Memorial
- West University Place
- Bellaire
- Missouri City
- Brookside Village
- Pearland
- Friendswood
- Dickinson
- Kemah
- Many more communities within the flight plan
The Lineup & Program
The fleet of more than two dozen historic warbirds will include the following.
- B-25 ‘Devil Dog’
- P-51 Mustang
- T-6 Texan
- BT-13 Valiant
- L-17 Navion
- T-34 Mentor
- Beechcraft BE-18
- A-36 Bonanza
Additional pending aircraft include Grumman HU-16 Albatross, Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, Bell P-63 King Cobra, Japanese Zero replica, and North American T-28.
The aircraft lineup is subject to change.
An event program will be available the week of the flight for download for Houstonians to follow the planes.
Supporting Partners
All partners volunteered their time and resources to make this event possible.
- Commemorative Air Force (CAF) – Houston Wing
- CAF – Gulf Coast Wing
- CAF – Highland Lakes Wing
- Wings Over Houston Airshow
- Signature Flight Support
- HoustonFirst
- IHeart Media-Houston
- Individual warbird plane owners, pilots and volunteers.
Lone Star Flight Museum’s Fight to the Finish Flyover Above Greater Houston
- Date: Sunday, May 10, 2020 (Originally scheduled Friday, May 8, 2020, but moved due to expected inclement weather)
- Time: 1:45pm to 3:15pm. Scroll up or click here to see specific target flyover times for specific communities and neighborhoods.
- Location: The flight plan is designed to take the aircrafts around most of Greater Houston. Click here for more details.
- Admission: The commemorative event is free for all to view from their homes and yards. Click here for more information.
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