Category Archives: blue angels

UNFORGETTABLE COMMEMORATION OF DOOLITTLE RAID 75TH ANNIVERSARY AT EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017

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People and airplanes among activities that recall daring World War II mission
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (April 18, 2017) — The lone remaining veteran of the famed Doolittle Raiders mission of April 1942 and at least 16 B-25 bombers will be part of the raid’s 75th anniversary commemoration and air show activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The 65th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention, the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” will be held July 24-30.
The 75th anniversary activities will honor those involved in the daring mission that involved 16 B-25 bombers that departed from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet on April 18, 1942, and bombed military sites in Japan. The “Doolittle Raiders,” led by legendary pilot Jimmy Doolittle, then faced hardships after their airplanes made forced landings in China and other areas.
“The Doolittle Raid 75 years ago was important, not as much for its military gains as it was a morale lift to an American military and public that had been buffeted by bad news in the months immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member benefits who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Our activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this year will connect our attendees with the importance of this mission, as well as the people and aircraft involved.”
Among the highlights of the 75th anniversary commemoration will be a July 26 evening program with 101-year-old Dick Cole, the only remaining member of the 80 original Doolittle Raiders, as well as Jimmy Doolittle’s grandchildren, Jimmy Doolittle III and Jonna Doolittle Hoppes.
“I want to thank EAA for honoring the Raiders at their 75th anniversary,” said Cole, who was co-pilot for Doolittle in the lead aircraft. “Thank you for paying tribute to us even though we never felt like heroes. We were just doing our job. We can also never forget the men who fought at Wake, Midway, and all across the Pacific. See you at Oshkosh.”
Other highlights include:
n  Arrival of at least 16 B-25 bombers at AirVenture by Tuesday, July 25, with the aircraft parked in AirVenture’s warbird area. Notable aircraft already confirmed include Panchito(Delaware Aviation Museum); Briefing Time (Mid-Atlantic Air Museum); Yankee Warrior (Yankee Air Museum); Miss Hap (American Airpower Museum); Barbie III (Cavanaugh Flight Museum); Devil Dog (Commemorative Air Force); and Miss Mitchell (Commemorative Air Force – Minnesota Wing).
n  Several programs at the popular Warbirds of America “Warbirds in Review” speaker series.
n  Sixteen B-25s flying in the warbirds air show on Tuesday, July 25, and re-enacting the 1942 Doolittle Raid to start the night air show on Wednesday, July 26.
Other highlights will be announced as they are finalized.
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.

The Largest Assembly of P-51 Mustangs to Fly in Over a Decade during the 43rd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Exp

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The Largest Assembly of P-51 Mustangs to Fly in Over a Decade during the 43rdAnnual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo
(February 16, 2017 Lakeland, FL) Located at the Kissimmee-Gateway airport just outside Orlando, FL, Stallion 51 has long been noted as the nation’s premiere provider of transition training in the famous WWII-era fighter, the North American P-51 Mustang. A unique facility, Stallion 51’s expert staff teach owners and pilots of these historic war machines to operate them safely and efficiently in the modern age. Since Stallion 51 came into being they have attended the annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, bringing their stable of Mustangs to the Warbird Flight line with Mr. Mustang himself, Lee Lauderback flying his signature Solo Mustang Demo routine in the air show. This year, Stallion 51 is celebrating their 30th Anniversary, and they have invited their many Mustang friends to SUN ‘n FUN to help celebrate and commemorate the occasion. 
On Wednesday, April 5th, 2017 Stallion 51’s invited guests will arrive impressive formation for what is promising to be the largest assembly of P-51 Mustangs in over a decade.
“It’s been over a decade since the world has seen this many P-51 Mustangs in one place at one time,” said Greg Gibson, Air Operations Director for SUN ‘n FUN. “We have the honor of not only hosting them, but helping our friends at Stallion 51 celebrate their 30th anniversary.”
Not since the famous Gathering of Mustangs and Legends in 2007 in Dayton, Ohio has there been such a showing of the famous Warbird, and with over 7 acres of pristine apron space at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport appropriately named “The Warbird Ramp”, the week-long SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In is the perfect venue for bringing this elite group together. Over 30 are expected, and the excitement over the arrival is building.
Gibson’s enthusiasm for the occasion is readily evident. “It’s a historic event, celebrating one of the most significant aircraft in history. To see them all together is overwhelming, but we have a real treat on Thursday for our SUN ‘n FUN guests: all of them will fly in the airshow at once!”
The flight demonstration will take place on Thursday, April 6th during the daily airshow, which begins around 2PM. This will coincide with the first appearance of the US Navy Blue Angels, scheduled to fly later that same day.
In 1987, Stallion 51 Corp. established itself as a unique aviation business that specializes in rare expensive vintage aircraft built on the dream and passion of the Lauderback brothers. Lee, Peter, Richard and John are the cornerstone of the Mustang world; restoring, operating and marketing the rarest of the breed. Thousands of people have shared the cockpit with founder and president, Lee Lauderback and his crew through the years, learning about the magic of the Merlin and the mystique behind the Mustang. At SUN ‘n FUN 2017, visitors will get to see the results of their passion as the thunder of Mustangs roar overhead in a spectacular display not to be missed.
For more information on this event, please contact Greg Gibson at GGibson@flysnf.org or call him at 863-644-2431. For more information on attending SUN ‘n FUN, please visit www.flysnf.org. For more information on Stallion 51, visit www.stallion51.com.

Photo credit to Stallion 51 –














Photo credit to Tony Granat Photography

US NAVY ‘BLUE ANGELS’ Pre-Season Brief at SUN ’n FUN

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SUN ‘n FUN CAMPUS, LAKELAND, FL. – (November 19, 2013) – On Monday, November 25, 2013 at 10:10 a.m., U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Michael Cheng, Blue Angel #8, will arrive at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport to conduct a pre-season briefing for the appearance of the United States Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the “Blue Angels” at the 40th Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo April 1-6, 2014.


A media briefing is scheduled for 10:20 a.m. at SUN ‘n FUN’s Florida Air Museum, 4175 Medulla Road, Lakeland, FL. While in Lakeland, April 4-6, 2014, the Blue Angels will be heavily involved with school visits accompanied by local U.S. Navy and Marine Recruiters, community outreach and media demonstration rides on “Fat Albert”, a C-130 Hercules. Visit http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/ for more information about the Blue Angels.


I for one can’t wait for Sun N Fun.  If you haven’t been to one of the greatest airshows and flying events in the country you are missing out.  

So what are you waiting for?  Get the map out, reserve a camp site or room and start practicing the flight to Florida on your simulator.  

Don’t have a plane?  Check out airfares.  Rates are usually really good at that time of year. But don’t wait to long, its spring break so rooms fill up fast.

While you are at Sun N Fun, attend one of my buying an aircraft seminars so you can fly yourself to the event the next year.  

Once you’ve been you have to go back.

Oh, and having ridden in Fat Albert once, makes the return of the Blue Angels even more exciting.