Sea Harrier to debut at Vectren Dayton Air Show

P-51 Quick Silver...Gene Soucy...A-4B Skyhawk also announced

Dayton, Ohio – Unique and star-studded are just some of the words that could be used to describe four performers added to the 2012 Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger lineup. The 38th annual show headlining the US Navy Blue Angels will be held on July 7th and 8th at the Dayton International Airport.

Appearing for the first time in Dayton will be the renowned British Sea Harrier, a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. Operated for many years by Britain’s Royal Navy, the Sea Harrier became famous for its service during the Falklands War. Lifting like a helicopter, hovering in mid-air and then flying at nearly the speed of sound, the Sea Harrier is a unique and an incredible example of aviation technology. Nicknamed the jump jet, the Sea Harrier will astound spectators with its amazing capability and is sure to be a crowd favorite. The Sea Harrier performing at Dayton is the only privately owned Harrier in the world. It was acquired from the Royal Navy in 2005 by U.S. citizen, Art Nalls, a retired and decorated Marine Corps pilot. The Sea Harrier has a more powerful engine and is faster than the Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier that has performed at Dayton in the past.

Making its inaugural appearance in Dayton is the beautifully restored P-51 Mustang Quick Silver. This is the story of father and son team, Bill and Scott "Scooter" Yoak, who spent 13 years meticulously working side-by-side to make this incredible Mustang a reality. Having a lifelong dream of building a perfect example of a Mustang, a highly-skilled Bill Yoak became very good friends with key people in the California warbird community. Soon Bill became heavily involved in the California movie business and flew outstanding air combat scenes for the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep and feature films. Along the way to his life’s dream of building a Mustang, Bill collected parts from nearly three hundred Mustangs that were lost in action or otherwise crashed. With his metal fabrication skills, Bill was able to make parts needed to the exact specs of the original Mustang. The Yoak’s are certain that Quick Silver is made from parts of Mustangs that were used in every war theater the Mustang was utilized – about 27 countries. Now flown by Scott Yoak, Quick Silver serves as a celebration of our nation's armed forces. This gleaming beauty will be a sight to see in the skies over the Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger.

Last appearing in Dayton in 2005, the award-winning team of Gene Soucy and Teresa Stokes will delight audiences of all ages with their barnstorming wing walking act in the brightly painted Showcat, a highly-modified Grumman bi-plane. Dubbed “Mr. Airshow”, Gene is one of the most-respected pilots in the air show industry; Teresa is an acclaimed aviation and space artist along with being a top stuntwoman-wingwalker. It’s no surprise that this proficient pair have racked up an impressive list of accolades in the air show industry.

Another debut performer, the Warbird Heritage Foundation’s A-4B Skyhawk, will look to many spectators like a modern-day U.S. military jet fighter. The Skyhawk is actually a restored light bomber/attack aircraft used during the Vietnam War. In service for both the Navy and the Marine Corps, the A-4B was flown by notable Vietnam-era pilots, Vice Admiral James Stockdale and LCDR John McCain. It was also flown by the Blue Angels from 1973 to 1986. The Skyhawk appearing at the 2012 Vectren Dayton Air Show is painted to represent aircraft BuNo 148609 flown by LCDR Ted Swartz, who shot down a MIG-17 over North Vietnam with an unguided ZUNI rocket. This was the only air-to-air kill by a Skyhawk during the Vietnam War.

“These are incredible additions to our 2012 lineup,” stated Michael Emoff, Chairman of the United States Air & Trade Show Board of Trustees, producers of the event. “We have an awesome show this year and expect to add even more attractions in the coming weeks,” he added.

Other show features announced in December include TORA TORA TORA, an emotional reenactment of the bombing of Pearl Harbor complete with pyrotechnics; Michael Goulian, an acclaimed and high-energy aerobatic performer; and the Misty Blues, the world’s only all-woman skydiving team.

The Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger previously announced that ticket prices will remain unchanged from 2011. The popular Chairman’s Club, LaRosa’s Pavilion, Family 4 Pack, and Blue Sky Chalet tickets are now on sale offering a range of seating amenities. Tickets can conveniently be purchased through our show website at www.daytonairshow.com. Many of these venues sell out early, so don’t wait to get your tickets.

Beginning May 21, 2012, deep discount general admission tickets will also be available for purchase at over 100 Kroger stores in the Dayton-Cincinnati region.

For more information on performers:
www.nallsaviation.com
www.quicksilvermustang.com
www.genesoucy.com
www.warbirdheritagefoundation.org

Founded in 1975, the Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger is one of America’s premier air shows. The Air Show showcases world-class aerobatic champions, military jet demonstrations and entertainment for the whole family celebrating Dayton’s aviation heritage as home of the Wright Brothers, National Museum of the US Air Force and Wright-Patterson AFB. For more information, visit www.daytonairshow.com.