Vectren Dayton Air Show officials announced today that the B-17 Movie Memphis Belle and Tuskegee Airmen P-51 Mustang Red Tail with its Rise Above theater will appear at the 2018 Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger on June 23rd and 24th at the Dayton International Airport.
On May 17th, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton will open its exhibit of the magnificent B-17F Memphis Belle, the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States. This date is exactly 75 years after its crew finished their last mission in the war against Nazi Germany on May 17, 1943.
The B-17G Movie Memphis Belle that will appear at the 2018 show was the star of the 1990 Warner Brother film, Memphis Belle. The film was a fictionalization of the 1943 documentary Memphis Belle, about the 25th and last mission of the American Boeing B-17 Memphis Belle Flying Fortress bomber. The Movie Memphis Belle will commemorate this milestone and take spectators back in history giving them a chance to both see this iconic WWII heavy bomber fly and view it on display up close and personal in this anniversary year.
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron has selected Dayton for an appearance of its Tuskegee P-51 Mustang aircraft and Rise Above Theater production. CAF’s mission is to educate audiences across the country about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen – America’s first black military pilots. These airmen became legendary because their strength of character, courage and ability to triumph over adversity served to inspire others to RISE ABOVE obstacles in their own lives and achieve their goals. The CAF presentation will include a flight and display of the P-51 Mustang Red Tail aircraft Tuskegee Airmen flew. The Rise Above theater is a 30-seat panoramic film presentation of the Tuskegee Airmen’s story.
“We are honored to add these two historical WWII attractions to the show”, stated Scott Buchanan, Chairman of the USATS Board of Trustees. “They both played a major role in our country’s history and we’re thrilled to have them join our incredible 2018 show lineup.” Buchanan added.
The B-17 Movie Memphis Belle and Tuskegee P-51 Mustang will join previously announced attractions, the world-renowned U.S. Navy Blue Angels, TORA! TORA! TORA!, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor and U.S. Army Golden Knights. That’s not all, air show legend Sean D. Tucker, Jack Link’s Jet Waco, female aerobatic superstar Vicky Benzing and Cincinnati’s own Redline Airshows Aerobatic Team will perform in 2018 too. Air show officials plan to announce other attractions over the next couple of months.
2018 Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger tickets including the popular Pavilion and Blue Sky Chalet are now on sale at the show’s website, www.daytonairshow.com. Customers can enjoy print-at-home or print- to-mobile options available for website purchases.
Beginning May 14th, customers can conveniently purchase discount general admission tickets at area Kroger stores. This Kroger exclusive offers $3 off adult and children tickets at over 100 Kroger stores in the Dayton- Cincinnati region. Kroger discount tickets are good for either Saturday or Sunday admission. Visit the show’s website for further information.
