25 Years of Honoring & Remembering

Demonstration Teams and Pilots for 2013

(Additional demonstration teams may be added as confirmed)

P-51
Mustang
FA-18
Super Hornet
Aeroshell
AT-6s
B-25
Mitchel
T-28
Trojans
BT-13
Vultee
SNJ-5
Texan
Canadian
Skyhawks
Pershing
Rifles
WWI
Dawn Patrol
Army K-9
Corps
Whiteman
Honor Guard

 

North American P-51D Mustang “Gunfighter”            visit their websiteTop of Page

Returning for the QUARTER CENTURY CELEBRATION as the “Signature Aircraft”, and performing a thrilling and dramatic aerobatic demonstration at the Airshow is the famous 1945 WWII P-51 Mustang: "GUNFIGHTER". It made history as the first aircraft to fly down Broadway over the 1989 Salute to Veterans Parade 25 years ago accompanied by the WWII B-25 Mitchell Bomber "SHOW ME" who will return to join it and fly a Heritage Flight. "Gunfighter" comes to us from The Great Plains Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, Council Bluffs, IA.

 
U.S. Navy VFA-122 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet TACDEMO Team                   visit their websiteTop of Page

The USN Super Hornet TACDEMO is from NAS Lemoore, California. VFA-122, which is known as the “The Flying Eagles”, will perform a combination of high and low speed maneuvering, rapid rolls, performance climbs and descents that are sure to entertain the audiences. VFA-122 trained aircrews have flown combat missions in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

 
Aeroshell AT-6 Texan Aerobatic Demonstration Team                 visit their websiteTop of Page

A formation aerobatic team flying the World War II North American AT-6 Advanced Trainer. The AeroShell Aerobatic Team take these valiant old birds through a series of precision formation aerobatic maneuvers. The Team combines the skill, competence and flair of these pilots with the roar and billowing smoke of the powerful 600 HP Pratt and Whitney engines. Performing a series of precision formation aerobatic maneuvers, including their bomb burst, vertical rejoin, avalanche, and "Switch Blade", along with graceful loops and rolls.

 
North American B-25 Mitchell “Show Me”                    visit their websiteTop of Page

This 1944 WWII B-25 Mitchell affectionately known as "Show Me" comes from The Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, St. Charles, Missouri. This rare warbird is among only a handful of B-25's to still grace the sky's and one of the few in the Midwest. "Show Me" is recreating its 1989 Heritage flight in Columbia, Missouri with the WWII P-51 Mustang “Gunfighter” as a special salute to our 25th Year Celebration.

 
T-28 Aerobatic Demonstration Team “Trojan Phlyers”            visit their websiteTop of Page

Trojan Phlyers brings us two North American T28B Trojan aircraft to perform formation and solo aerobatics to salute our veterans and the men and women who continue to serve and protect. These aviation professionals are also dedicated to preserving the rich history of the North American Aviation Company’s T28 Trojan. Trojan Phlyers come to us from Mid-Way Regional (KJWY), just south of downtown Dallas and southeast of downtown Fort Worth, TX.

 
WWII BT-13 Vultee “Valiant Echoes”                     visit their websiteTop of Page

It is the only WWII BT-Vultee flying acrobatically! During the 22-minute demonstration you will be transported back to 1942 and experience an Aviation Cadet on his first basic training instruction flight, and then thrill to an elegant and graceful demonstration performed with smoke and a 1940’s musical background. The sound and sight of the BT-13 is like no other aircraft and Valiant Echoes is committed to keeping this very important part of our aviation heritage alive for future generations. Freedom is not free. We must carry on the memories of those that went before to inspire those that will follow. This BT-13 is flown by Michael Kennedy based in Lebanon TN. Michael flew 400 combat missions in Southeast Asia during three combat tours from 1968-1972 in the F-4 and was awarded more than 30 combat decorations. He flew other Air Force jets and his last fighter was the A-10 Warthog.

 
1943 SNJ-5 Texan Navy Aerobatics                    visit their websiteTop of Page

Pilot Clyde Zellers will be demonstrating combinations of loops and rolls in a powerful display of all the aerobatic maneuvers taught by the United States Navy to young aviators to "earn their wings".  This American made warbird will be flying in a beautifully choreographed aerobatic low show routine with patriotic music and dialogue that honors each and every veteran at the airshow.  Clyde was introduced to flying very early by his father.  At age eleven he started flying lessons and soloed on his sixteenth birthday.  He received his private pilots certificate on his seventeenth birthday and has been flying ever since.  Clyde brings his SNJ-Texan from Springfield, Ill.

 
Canadian Forces Parachute Demonstration Team:  The Skyhawks           visit their websiteTop of Page

We are proud to welcome back our wonderful Allies, the Canadian Forces Parachute Team, the Skyhawks, for the 11th year. They they will once again descend from the skies demonstrating their spectacular and unique relative canopy work. Their aerobatic performance will visually captivate spectators in a show that highlights technical expertise and thrilling parachute formation.

 
Pershing Rifles Drill Team (University of Missouri ROTC)                    visit their websiteTop of Page
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They are the ONLY Tri-Service Pershing Rifle Drill Team with Army, Navy and Air Force cadets and midshipmen as members. They will be performing their amazing and incredibly intricate routines both days of the Airshow during the Salute to the Nation Ceremony at Show Central!

 
The Dawn Patrol WWI Replicas                    visit their websiteTop of Page
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The Famous WWI "Flying Circus" of the Kansas City Dawn Patrol returns for their 21st year with even more planes added to their menagerie on the tarmac and flying, including one that was used in filming the Movie "Amelia".

 
U.S. Army K-9 Corps Demonstration Team                    visit their websiteTop of Page
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Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Military working dogs first entered the service in March of 1942 to serve in the Army's K-9 Corps. Today, the dogs, who have an actual military service record book assigned to them, are still playing an active role in searching for explosives and seizing the enemy.  The missions these dogs and their handlers perform include: explosives detection; security and patrol; search and rescue; and guard duty. The dogs are considered soldiers, complete with their own service record.  As it's been said by the handlers: These dogs are our partners. We sleep with them and live with them. They are our best friends. Every handler will agree that there is nothing we won't do to protect our dogs.

 
Whiteman AFB Honor Guard "To Honor With Dignity"                    visit their websiteTop of Page

Whiteman AFB Honor Guard provides honors at a variety of distinguished events, ceremonies and celebrations. They do the Salute to the Nation Ceremony at our Show Central each year!