Dayton Air Show: Over 40 aircraft on static display, many historic!

…39th annual air show takes off in 5 days!

Dayton, Ohio –The Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger takes to the skies this weekend, June 22nd and 23rd at the Dayton International Airport.  Along with over 15 thrilling flying attractions,  there will be over forty aircraft on static display, some playing a historic role in our nation's history.

Here's a glimpse of what spectators will see at Dayton's premier summer event this year:

• Douglas C-54E, “Spirit of Freedom” heavy transport.  An impressive flying museum to preserve the memory and pay tribute to the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949. The C-54 cargo aircraft was instrumental in providing food for the people of Berlin when all ground and water supply routes were cut-off by the Soviets.  Take a stroll through history in this legendary aircraft that helped deliver 3,500 tons of food and supplies every day to keep over 2 million people and the forces of Berlin alive. This will be the Spirit of Freedom's first appearance at the Vectren Dayton Air Show.
• Consolidated PBY Catalina "Flying Boat".  One of our armed forces most unique aircraft ever seen, the Catalina’s multi-role capability, outstanding range and endurance made it a  popular aircraft during WWII.  The PBY played a key role in the destruction of the German battleship Bismarck and the Japanese fleet at the Battle of Midway.  The Catalina also rescued the sole survivor of famed Torpedo Squadron Eight's, Ensign George Gay. 
• American Airlines DC-3 “Flagship Detroit”.  Welcome aboard the airliner that transformed air travel in the United States, the Douglas DC-3.  Manufactured in 1937, the Flagship Detroit was the 21st of 84 DC-3’s delivered to American Airlines and operated between 1936 and 1947. She was restored as a flying tribute to employees and is flown by retired American Airlines’ pilots, who will appear in period-uniforms. The Flagship Detroit has the honor of being the oldest flying DC-3 in the world today.
• Fairchild C-123 Provider "Thunder Pig".  A work horse in the Vietnam War, the newer    C-123's like the one that will be in Dayton featured auxiliary jet pods underneath the wings, and anti-skid brakes to resupply troops landing on short dirt runways carved out of the jungles of Vietnam.  The C-123 had some notable missions such as the spraying of Agent Orange and serving as a VIP transport, including General William Westmoreland's C-123 “White Whale”. 
• Douglas AD-1 Skyraider.  A single-seat attack aircraft that saw military service from the late 1940’s until the early 1980’s, the Skyraider had a remarkably long career despite being a piston-powered, propeller-driven airplane during the jet age.
• FedEx Boeing 757-200.  Spectators will enjoy going on board and touring the massive FedEx cargo jet including a look in the cockpit.  Weighing in at 255,000 pounds and traveling at Mach 0.80 (530 MPH), the 757 is the backbone of the FedEx fleet.  As a special treat the FedEx NASCAR will also be on display.
• Stearman Speedmail.    Representing the Golden Age of Aviation, the Stearman Speedmail is currently the oldest surviving Model 4, which was originally delivered to Richfield Oil Company on October 28, 1929 and heavily used to promote popular radio program, the “Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen”.             
• Wright B Flyer.  Where it all began, Dayton’s own “Brown Bird” will be on static display and flying each day in the show.
• B-25, “Champaign Gal”.  The Champaign Aviation Museum of Ohio’s WWII medium bomber pays tribute to the bomber that first gained its fame during the Doolittle Raid in Japan in 1942.
• O-2 Skymaster.  A Vietnam-era forward observation aircraft, the O-2, also known as “Oscar Deuce” is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft was also used in psychological operations.

“We’re thrilled to bring living history to show with aircraft like the C-54," stated Michael Emoff, United States Air and Trade Show Board of Trustees Chairman.  "This is a must see show and is sure to entertain spectators of all ages," he added.  

The 2013 Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger takes off this weekend at the Dayton International Airport.  Gates open at 9:00 a.m. each day with flying starting at noon.  Gates close at 6:00 p.m. each day.  In total, there will be 15 feature attractions in the air.  Flying acts range from dare-devil wing walker, Jane Wicker to the only flying B-29 Superfortress in the world, "FIFI", to a first ever demonstration of the MiG-17 and the Tuskegee Airmen P-51 “By Request”.  Spectators will also enjoy the AeroShell Formation Aerobatic Team and the "Great Wall of Fire" just to name a couple more.  Visit the show website at www.daytonairshow.com for a complete lineup and ticket information. 

The Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger is produced by the United States Air and Trade Show, Inc, a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit Ohio Corporation that relies on sponsorship and community support to offset the cost of producing the event. The Dayton/Montgomery Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that the show has a $3.2 million annual economic impact on the region.