The sights and sounds of the machines that helped secure America’s liberty during the world’s largest conflict will return to The Grand Old City early next month.

The local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association and Dowagiac Municipal Airport is inviting the community to their second annual Warbirds Roundup and Fly In, which takes place from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Dowagiac airport. World War II-era fighters and bombers will be flying in that morning from Elkhart, joining other general aviation aircraft in a free exhibition for the community.

The main attraction of the event will be the two Grumman TBM “Avenger” torpedo bombers that will fly in into the city airport that morning. Seeing extensive service in the Pacific theater during World War II, many of the 7,500 Avengers produced during the conflict were refitted into civilian crop dusters or water bombers after being decommissioned by the military in 1960, said Oscar Azevedo, airport manager and events coordinator with the EAA.

“There’s very few of these planes in existence that can still fly,” Azevedo said. “It’s a very rare occasion to see two at the same time and place.”

Joining the bombers will be a returning favorite from last year, the Corsair, along with other World War II aircraft such as Boeing Stearman biplanes and Texans Harvards T-6s, Azevedo said.

The EAA and airport hosted these rare aircraft for the first time last year, giving the public a chance to see the machines and their pilots in a closer, more personal setting then someone could get at a typical airshow, Azevedo said. Last year’s fly in was a tremendous success, with over 50 participants and many more visitors, the manager said.

“We’re expecting more and better [this year], both in audience and in aircraft,” Azevedo said.

The Dowagiac Lions will again be teaming up with the airport that morning, hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser in the airport’s snowplow building. The EAA will also offer free plane rides for children, ages 8-17, beginning at 2 p.m. that Sunday.

Admission and parking to the event will once again be made free to attendees, thanks to the sponsorship of Lyons Industries, Blue Mechanical Contractors, IF Design and Family Fare Supermarkets.

Azevedo encouraged people to come out to the airport that morning for the event, for a chance to see these rare pieces of American history up-close, he said.

“It’s a unique experience most communities don’t get to see,” Azevedo said.