Air show grows bigger than ever
Third annual air show, War II showcase set WEST MILFORD Greenwood Lake Airport's third annual Air Show and World War II Showcase is set for Aug. 26 through 28, featuring aerobatics and special guests, including Team RV, the world's largest air show, a group of 12 aerobatic planes and pilots. They all put their high-performance aircraft through rolls, spins and inverted flight as if in unison. Aerobatic champions Kendal Simpson, Jane and Kirk Wicker and Kevin Russo will also be on hand. World War II heroes “Wild” Bill Guarnere of “Band of Brothers” fame as well as Tuskegee Airmen Eugene Richardson and John Harrison will be on hand, too. Their exploits are due for the silver screen in Star Wars director George Lucas’ upcoming film “Red Tails.” Richardson and Harrison were part of the famed group that set a standard and broke the color barrier for the nation’s armed forces flying P-40 Warhawks and P-51Mustangs. They will recount their training and historical contributions through inspirational stories. It’s all vintage The World War II warbirds show will feature exhibits, re-enactments, special guests, along with military vehicles and vintage aircraft. On field, courtesy of the American Airpower Museum in Long Island, N.Y., will be a Marine Corsair fighter, the type used by air ace Pappy Boyington flying with the renowned Black Sheep Squadron; a B-25 Mitchell bomber, the type used by aviation legend Jimmy Doolittle in the first attack against Tokyo flown from the deck of the USS Hornet just months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and a C-47 transport in D-Day marking that carried airborne troops to Normandy and beyond. A permanent display includes a Lockheed Constellation, one of the few remaining four-engine passenger liners of its type that helped usher in cross-country and global air service. On the airfield in the main hangar, visitors can meet members of the Army Air Forces Historical Association, who will tell the tales and recall harrowing moments of the war years through an extensive, interactive exhibit that includes the only working Norden bombsight on the East Coast. Visitors will be able to fly a high-altitude combat mission and drop their bombs “right into a pickle barrel”; with a bit of coaching from an experienced World War II veteran. Period entertainment The 1940s also produced its a beloved and recognized style of music and entertainment. On hand will be Bill Riley and Joe Ziegler, who bring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello to life with their Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show. The Manhattan Dolls will perform their tribute to The Andrew Sisters. Eric De Lauro does his tribute to Frank Sinatra, with nostalgic tunes that helped bring the nation together in trying times. Food and more The airport offers food from hamburgers, hotdogs, sausage and peppers to snow cones and inside at the Passport Café, visitors can sit down for fine dining. Friday night something new is being added to the show: a World War II Victory Dance and barbecue will follow the day's activities. Time is rolled back to 1943. Visitors can listen to Big Band sounds, dance the Jitterbug and mingle with the "troops." It’s a BYOB event and runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person. Parking is free. Shuttle buses will carry visitors to the airfield. Bring along a folding chair. Gates open each day at 10 a.m. and the show runs through 5 p.m. Admission prices are $20 for adults; $10 for children age 5 to 12 and free for children 5 and under. Family Day Friday offers a special $15 entry for adults and $5 for children, For more information, visit www.greenwoodlakeairshow.com