Vintage War Planes Returning to Pittsfield Airport

By Larry KratkaBerkshire News Network
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A P-51 Mustang was among the vintage planes that visited Pittsfield in 2008.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In what may be their final appearance in the Berkshires, the Collings Foundation will be bringing back its warbirds to Pittsfield Municipal Airport in early October.

Among the vintage World War II planes are B-17 and B-24 bombers and a P-51 Mustang.

The Florida-based foundation confirmed with the Berkshire News Network that its members will be landing in the restored, vintage aircraft  at the airport on Monday, Oct. 3, will spend Tuesday giving tours of the airplanes and even flights. They will depart on Wednesday,  Oct. 5. 


The 30-year-old nonprofit Collings Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the transporation vehicles that have transformed the nation. Over the past two decades, the "Wings of Freedom Tour" has allowed people a closeup look at the aviation machines that helped win World War II.

The bombers have made several appearances in the Berkshires over the last 15 years and their last visit was in 2008.  Aviation buffs should take note of these dates and plan ahead. 

Tags: airport,   planes,   

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Combined No-HItter Lifts Pittsfield Babe Ruth Team to Regional Tourney

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Kevin Smith was dominant, and the Pittsfield Babe Ruth 16-year-old All-Stars offense gave him just enough support to secure a 2-1 win over Westfield in the Western Massachusetts Championship Game on Sunday afternoon.
 
Smith struck out 11 in six innings before Cooper Reed delivered a scoreless seventh as the pair combined on a no-hitter and Pittsfield claimed a berth in next weekend’s New England Regional Championship in Stamford, Conn.
 
“I felt pretty good,” Smith said after his second outing of the three-team tournament. “I was mainly throwing fastballs until they started hitting it, and then I went with the off-speed.”
 
Smith threw two innings in Pittsfield’s five-inning win over Southern Berkshire in the tournament opener.
 
Sunday afternoon, when the game was in the balance on every pitch, was more his speed.
 
“I love it,” he said of the one-run game. “I like feeling the pressure on me and I’m getting the job done. It feels good afterwards.”
 
Smith struck out eight of the first 10 batters he faced, pitching around walks in the first and second innings and facing just two over the minimum through three.
 
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