Tri-state area residents will have a unique viewing opportunity today through Sunday when the Cumberland Goes To War B-25 Mitchell fly-in takes place at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport.

Grounded by bad weather in 2008 at the departure point at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, Russ Strine’s “Briefing Time” B-25 crew was forced to scrub its planned trip here. For a while, it looked as if the event would be postponed again this year. Pilot Strine fell in a home accident last week and suffered a minor neck fracture that will ground him until early next year. But he was determined not to scratch from Cumberland two years in a row, so he contacted good friend and fellow war bird enthusiast Larry Kelly, of Delaware.

Kelly’s polished aluminum B-25J, Panchito, is decorated as a tribute to a B-25 medium bomber that flew in the Central Pacific with the 396 Bomb Squadron, 41st Bomb Group, 7th Air Force. The story of Panchito’s history and restoration can be found at www.ragwingsandradials.com.

Panchito will fly into the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport with a planned touchdown at 2 p.m. Friday. The plane will be available for public inspection in the tie-down area behind the Runway Café on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.to 3 p.m.; and Sunday beginning at noon. Departure is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday.

Panchito is configured and licensed for fly-along rides. These rides cost $375 per person with proceeds going toward continued maintenance and restoration of the aircraft. Fly-alongs can be conducted in groups of three passengers, who will enjoy a 30-minute flight in the immediate air space of the city of Cumberland. To reserve space, call McClarran & Williams at (301) 724-2453.

The fly-in is sponsored by the Allegany County Office of Tourism, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, city of Cumberland, Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority, Potomac Highlands Airport Authority and National Road Autosport.