MOBILE ‘BIG’ SCREEN THEATER AND EXHIBIT HONORING TUSKEGEE AIRMEN TRAVELS TO WINGS OVER HOUSTON

Houston, Texas (October 21, 2013) – The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron’s RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit  and the P-51C Mustang will be at the Wings Over Houston Air Show at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas on Oct 26-27, 2013.

The public is welcome to come through the Exhibit for free with paid admission to the Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, we will have special V.I.P. guests -- three Original Tuskegee Airman, Col Charles McGee, LtCol. Alexander Jefferson and LtCol. George Hardy.

The RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit is a truly unique opportunity for the young and the young-at-heart to not only learn, but experience the inspiring story of the Tuskegee Airmen while being immersed in a theatrical experience. 

During the original movie aptly named, "RISE ABOVE," audience members will be transported into what it was like to be a black airman during WWII and the obstacles faced by America’s first black military pilots and their support personnel, known today as the Tuskegee Airmen, as they worked toward their goal of becoming U.S. Army Air Corps pilots in the early 1940s.  At the conclusion of the film, audiences experience the excitement and thrill of flying the world’s greatest fighter aircraft, the P-51 Mustang, in formation, aerobatics, a break and a few low passes.  Filmed with a 180-degree lens along with the state-of-the-art theater design, the movie experience gives attendees the feeling that you are actually flying in the airplane. 

“The exhibit is truly a one-of-a-kind adventure similar to something you would experience at Disneyland,” said Brad Lang, CAF Red Tail Squadron. “The overall message is about rising above adversity to reach your potential no matter your circumstances; the film uses the story of the Tuskegee Airman and the story of the Red Tail Squadron to inspire young people to achieve their potential, but the message resonates with all ages because of the unique and interactive way it is told.  This is an experience you won’t want to miss.”

The exhibit is a mobile ‘big screen’ theater and exhibit with a customized 53' trailer with expandable sides that houses a 160-degree panoramic curved movie screen and seating for 35 in climate-controlled comfort.  The exhibit showcases a short original movie, "RISE ABOVE," focusing on what the Tuskegee Airmen had to overcome to be allowed to fly and fight for their country during World War II.  The Exhibit reflects the CAF Red Tail Squadron's educational mission of showing guests, especially young people, amazing possibilities. This experience highlights how to set a goal and succeed even when all odds are against you; just like the original Tuskegee Airmen achieved.  The Squadron has distilled the Airmen's experiences into six guiding RISE ABOVE principles to help with this mission: 

Aim High                Believe In Yourself            Use Your Brain           
Never Quit               Be Ready To Go                Expect To Win

The Sponsor of the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit is The Texas Flying Legends Museum.

About the CAF:
In 1957, a small group of ex-service pilots pooled their money to purchase a P-51 Mustang, beginning what is now called the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). With the addition of a pair of F8F Bearcats, the CAF became the founders of the Warbird Movement, an effort to preserve and honor our military history with the rallying cry to “Keep ‘Em Flying!” Now, 55 years later, the CAF is the premier Warbird organization, operating 156 vintage aircraft in Honor of American Military Aviation. A non-profit educational association, the CAF has more than 10,000 members and its fleet of historic aircraft is distributed to 80 units located in 24 states for care and operation. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org or call (432) 563-1000.

For more information about the CAF Red Tail Squadron, visit www.redtail.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook.