WWII planes to fly practice runs over National Mall in D.C.

D.C. residents could see World War II-era planes flying over the National Mall Wednesday as part of a practice for a memorial ceremony in May.

The “Arsenal of Democracy” celebration will include dozens of planes making flyovers of the nation’s capital to mark important events in the war. The main celebration event is scheduled for May 8, the 70th anniversary of the Victory in Europe Day that marked the Allies’ defeat of the Nazis.

Event organizers are hailing it as the most diverse collection of WWII aircraft ever assembled in one place.

Though the airspace above D.C. is normally tightly restricted and controlled, organizers have received permission to conduct a practice run Wednesday.