Christian Tokarski got up close and personal Friday afternoon with three World War II bombers.

The 9-year-old’s favorite part was walking through the B-25 Mitchell, the newest addition to the Wings of Freedom tour.

His mom, Kendall, was just happy to see the propeller-powered birds touch down.

“We’re just airplane enthusiasts,” she said. “I like to watch them land and take off.”

The pair were among the first people to see the Massachusetts-based Collings Foundation’s living history tour that rumbled into the DuPage Airport in West Chicago.

The tour also includes a B-17 Flying Fortress and a B-24 Liberator.

Jack Putignano, an 83-year-old Bartlett man, worked on smaller bombers as an Army Air Corps mechanic in World War II. He still gets a kick out of seeing the larger planes, especially the B-24, in which he had a rough landing at a stateside base.

“I come down every year,” Putignano said. “I like airplanes. What’s not to like? I like round-engine airplanes.”

The living history display is part of the airport’s Community Days event in which people are invited to tour the terminal and walk through other jets.

Hunter Chaney, marketing director for Collings, said the planes help supplement history lessons about the war, but seeing, touching, hearing and smelling an authentic World War II bomber can have a greater impact.

“It’s a ‘wow’ factor. When people are physically moved by something, it makes it more meaningful,” Chaney said.

The three bombers will be at the airport through Monday.

Hours today and Sunday are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday’s hours are 9 a.m. to noon, and then the planes head to the Greater Kankakee Airport.

Admission is free for World War II veterans, $10 for adults and $5 for kids younger than 12.

For more information, visit www.collingsfoundation.org or call (800) 568-8924.