(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
VIEWING HISTORY … A child eagerly awaits the pilots of the famous “Candy Bomber.”
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The “Spirit of Freedom,” a historic aircraft that once played a critical role in the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949, made a brief two-hour appearance at the Williams County Airport on July 11, 2025.
The aircraft was instrumental during the Soviet blockade, transporting tons of supplies to over two million citizens. It earned the nickname “The Candy Bomber” after its pilot famously dropped candy to children using handkerchief parachutes.
Originally launched in September 1945, the aircraft was renamed and reintroduced into service in August 2020 by the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation.
Now functioning as a flying museum, the “Spirit of Freedom” remains fully flight-capable and is actively flown across the country.
With a goal of giving visitors the opportunity to tour the aircraft, view historical artifacts, and learn about how Allies supplied over 2.3 million tons of cargo through the 15 month cycle of the Berlin Airlift. The aircraft remains owned and actively flown by the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation.
The plane’s longtime pilot, Timothy A. Chopp, serves as its Master and Commander. With over 30 years of experience, Chopp continues to fly the aircraft on approximately 20 to 30 missions annually.
The Williams County stop marked his 657th logged mission. The plane has departed from Pennsylvania, with the flight taking slightly longer than usual due to inclement weather.
Following its stop in Williams County, the aircraft continued on to Angola, Indiana where it participated in a candy drop using Spangler Candy Dum-Dums, continuing its longstanding tradition.