Event to make aviation history, as there hasn’t been this many P-38s in one location in over 60 years
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – (August 31, 2010) The California Capital Airshow (CCA) (www.californiacapitalairshow.com) today announced that it will host every flying Lockheed P-38 Lightning remaining in the United States, as well as the pilots and ground crew who flew and cared for these rare aircraft on September 11 and 12, 2010. Drawing the attention and attendance of WWII veterans and their families from all over the United States and of photographers from seven countries, this is truly a historic event.
“The CCA is truly honored and humbled to be hosting such a remarkable event in partnership with Lockheed Martin (www.lockheedmartin.com), the Reno National Championship Air Races (www.airrace.org), the P-38 National Association (www.p38assn.org) and the 475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation,” said Darcy Brewer, executive director of the California Capital Airshow. “We have set out to create an outstanding occasion to showcase the airplane and pay tribute to the designers, manufacturers, maintainers, and the brave aviators who trusted their lives to the ‘Forked-Tailed Devil’.”
There has not been such a gathering of Lightnings in over 60 years, and because of the high operating costs of the aircraft, coupled with the dwindling numbers of men and women originally associated with the P-38, it is very likely that such an event will not happen again.
P-38 pilots, F-35 Lightning II pilots, the Fork-Tail Devil’s organization and up-close and personal access to the P-38s, including ‘Glacier Girl’, ‘23 Skidoo’, ‘Thoughts of Midnight’, ‘Tangerine’, ‘Ruff Stuff’, and Allied Fighters No. 981. Additionally, representatives and displays from Lockheed Martin, the company that designed and built the revolutionary P-38, will also be in attendance and available at the P-38 National Association pavilion.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the attention it will generate will help provide the means to continue to tell the story of this unique aircraft, while reinforcing its significance as one of the most innovative and important designs in the history of manned flight.
“Each one of these airplanes, and the men associated with them, has a story to tell, and our venture will provide the opportunity for those tales of valor, sacrifice, and heroism to be shared with young and old alike, to make their honor and courage tangible to this generation and those to come. As you well know, sadly, the numbers of these honorable men and women are dwindling at an alarming rate. With over 300 P-38 veterans from WWII planning on attending, this event will ensure that their memory will never be forgotten,” added Brewer.
To sponsor or provide financial support to help defray the costs associated with this opportunity, please contact CCA headquarters at (916) 876-7568.
The Airshow website will be updated regularly with news, attraction information and more. Community members and attendees can also follow the Airshow on Facebook and Twitter (#calcapairshow).
High resolution photos are available online at http://www.californiacapitalairshow.com/event-features/photo-gallery. To request press credentials for the event go to http://www.californiacapitalairshow.com/about-cca/media-access#credentials.
About California Capital Airshow
Established in 2004, the California Capital Airshow has become one of the largest and highly- respected shows in the nation. As part of its community relations, the non-profit organization has awarded over 70 scholarships to deserving students from our region with an interest in aviation, aerospace, aeronautics and related fields. For more information about the California Capital Airshow, please visit www.californiacapitalairshow.com .
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