Airshow Prospectus
Dixie Wing aircraft attend air shows throughout the US. We have some very rare airplanes centered around three themes: the Attack at Pearl Harbor, the Air War in Europe, and the "Pilot-Makers". We also offer warbirds a la carte. This page is a guided tour of our offerings.
Theme: The Battle of Midway
Central Pacific, 4 June 1942. Driven from island after island and still recovering from the devastating surprise attack by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor just 6 months earlier, the American Navy was looking to stem the tide of Japanese expansion. Having broken the Japanese naval code, we knew their next target...Midway.
The Battle of Midway which tells the story of heroism and sacrifice at a moment when the Japanese Empire was poised to complete its domination in the Pacific and threaten the Hawaii Islands with invasion. American grit and determination resulted in a numerically superior adversary being defeated. In 30 minutes, the balance of power in the Pacific shifted from Japan to America as three Japanese aircraft carriers were set ablaze by American pilots flying the venerated Dauntless dive bomber.
Mr. Armstrong's aerial script will be performed at a number of air shows in the Southeastern United States. The cast of aircraft involved in the performance will include: an SBD Dauntless operated by the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and flown by Keith Wood or Capt. John Currenti, a replica Zero flown by Capt. Jack Van Ness, the Kate operated by Japanese Bomber, LLC and flown by Alan Armstrong and a B-25 Mitchell bomber flown by Tom Reilly and Stan Bloyer. The cast will be rounded out with other aircraft such as two SNJ Texans flown by Captains Jim Buckley and Joe Fagundes.
Depending on the location of the performance, there may be other or additional aircraft appearing in the show. The Battle of Midway performance is intended to raise the bar for air battle reenactments at air shows with dramatic music, narration and sound effects. It will, in effect, be "theater with airplanes." Please consult our Air Shows/Events page on this website so you will know where you can witness a Battle of Midway air battle reenactment.
Theme: Attack at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941, 8:00AM—The calm of a Sunday morning is suddenly shattered by the concussion of bomb blasts... the United States is under attack! The attack comes in two waves and although it only lasts a couple of hours, it is a punishing blow to US Naval power in the Pacific.
On the American side was the SBD—it was not a fast airplane and was already considered obsolete when the war started. Yet this aircraft was used through the duration of the war and was the first aircraft to shoot down a Japanese aircraft during the Pearl Harbor attack. Later, the SBD played a pivotal role in destroying four Japanese carriers at the battle of Midway. That's why the crews gave it the nickname "Slow But Deadly."
On the Japanese side were the Kate and Zero—the Kate is a torpedo bomber used with devastating results at Pearl Harbor. This airplane was the tip of the spear for the Japanese Navy. Flying cover for the Kate is the Zero fighter, the mainstay of Japanese fighters throughout the war.
Today, these airplanes are all but gone. There are only three SBDs left in flyable condition, only two original zero airframes still fly, and there are no original Kate airframes left—only a handful of replicas like the one pictured above. Fortunately, these airplanes are still flying and helping to keep the history alive for air show audiences throughout the US.
Theme: Trainers and Pilot-Makers
The attack at Pearl Harbor caught a sleepy America unaware of the imminent danger posed by the cancerous spread of fascism throughout the world. Though they were reluctant to intervene, when Americans received their wakeup call on Dec 7th, 1941, they acted with a vengeance. America's industrial might was harnessed to making implements of war. But weapons are useless without the a warrior having spirit, heart, and soul to wield them. Fortunately, there was no shortage of Americans having the spirit. These airplanes were the instruments used to harness the raw spirit and hone the skills of American aviators so that they would face the enemy with the best skills and equipment money and modern science could furnish. These airplanes are the unsung heroes of the war, providing a sound foundation needed for combat. The impressive feats the fighter, bomber, and attack pilots accomplished in all theaters of the war started with their experiences in these airplanes.
The Dixie Wing & Forward Air Control in Korea
In history's first jet air war, our jets...the Panthers, Cougars & F-86 Sabrejets...all had limited time over target. For this reason the U.S. Air Force counted on the LT-6 for forward air reconnaissance. The LT-6 used smoke rockets to mark targets for our fighters. Feel free to contact the Dixie Wing Air Show Coordinator for more details.
Contact Information
If you'd like our aircraft to participate in your air show or special event, please e-mail the air show scheduler for a price quote (please provide air show name, date, place, and which aircraft are desired). You can also find out more below.
Download Marketing Package (PDF)
Warbird Aircraft a la Carte
- Douglas SBD-5 "Dauntless": US Navy dive-bomber. This is the plane that won the Battle of Midway. Only 3 are still flyable today, this being the only SBD based in the Eastern US. Restoration completed in 1999, totally authentic including 100 & 500 lb bombs & 30 cal rear guns. Rides available. More info Data sheet
- North American P-51 "Mustang": The most popular fighter in WWII. This ship is silver with “red nose,” invasion stripes, WWII-era unit markings. Restoration completed in 1993, perfect condition inside and out. Aerobatic routine available. Rides available. More info Data sheet
- Fairchild PT-26 "Cornell": US Army Air Corps primary trainer. This wood & fabric ship has been completely restored to “factory finish” condition. Rides available. More info Data sheet
- Canadian Car and Foundry "Harvard Mark IV": Advanced trainer in Royal Canadian Air Force colors. Delivered in 1952, it is the same basic airframe as the AT-6 but with special mods for Canadian service. Formation qualified. Press rides available. More info Data sheet
- Nakajima B5N "Kate": Japanese Torpedo Bomber. The Kate was the "fist of the Japanese Navy", and was used at Pearl Harbor as well as the Battle of Midway. No original Kates are known to exist; this is one of a handful of replicas still flying today. More info Data sheet
- Mitsubishi "Zero": The mainstay Japanese fighter throughout the war. This ship is sporting a new engine and propeller and is now on the air show circuit. More info Data sheet
- North American SNJ: US Navy Gunnery Trainer. This ship recently underwent partial restoration, now back in service sporting classic Navy blue-on-white colors. Formation qualified. Rides Available. More info Data sheet
- WWII Encampment w/ Jeep: The Dixie Wing offers a simulated WW II encampment and post exchange (PX). This display includes authentic WWII field gear, grenades/rifles (inoperative), and a Jeep with 30 cal machine gun. Data Sheet
| Aircraft | No. Crew | Rides Avail? |
|---|---|---|
| P-51 Mustang (aerobatic display avail.) | 1 | Yes |
| SBD Dauntless | 2 | Yes |
| LT-6 Mosquito | 2 | Yes |
| RAF Expeditor | 2 | |
| Harvard Mk IV | 1 | |
| SNJ | 1 | |
| Nakajima B5N "Kate" | 2 | |
| Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" | 1 |
Services provided
- Spectator rides (must be coordinated prior to arrival)
- Extra Media/VIP rides (additional fee may apply)
- WWII PX/encampment display (integrates with aircraft displays)
- Cockpit tours
- Aircrews available to interact with show spectators
- Flyovers in air show (warbird gaggle, non-aerobatic)
- Aerobatic performances (P-51 only)
Standard Contract Terms
- Air show fee includes mileage to air show
- Each ship requires fuel and oil top-off upon arrival & after show
- Air show to provide motel rooms for crew
- Air show to provide one car per four crew members
Disclaimer
The Dixie Wing makes every effort to attend all shows for which we receive a contract. However, unforeseen circumstances such as weather or mechanical difficulties occasionally arise. We therefore reserve the right to cancel an appearance. If cancellation becomes necessary, we will inform you at the earliest possible date.
Notes
- PX Sales – Dixie Wing sells T-shirts, hats, dogtags, etc.
- Pricing of Aircraft is a function of rarity of airplane, operating cost, and distance from base to air show.
- Dixie Wing, Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization dedicated to “keep ‘em flying.”