Sept. 13--A flying demonstration using one of the Tuskegee Airmen's few remaining trainer planes will be one of the highlights at Air Power Over the Midwest Air Show at Scott Air Force Base this weekend.
Black pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen trained and flew with distinction in World War II, despite racial discrimination in American society and the U.S. military.
"It's an amazing story," said Joe Cartier, a volunteer with the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum in Detroit. "(The airmen) suffered a lot, but they didn't fall back on excuses. They excelled."
The trainer plane is known as a North American Aviation T-6 Texan.
"I believe it's the last known trainer from the Tuskegee Institute (where the airmen were trained) that is flying," Cartier said.
The museum raised $200,000 to buy the plane last year.
Cartier is a former Army Ranger and pilot who helps teach Detroit youths how to fly airplanes using three TG-7s that were used as trainers at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs until the mid-1980s. Those planes also will be part of the air show.
"They are designed as motor gliders," Cartier said. "They will do maneuvers that normal general aviation aircraft cannot do. As an example, they can take off and climb 300 feet and then make a complete 180-degree turn back to the runway."
Other highlights at the Air Power Over the Midwest Air Show will be the famous Thunderbirds U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, which hasn't performed at Scott for six years, and the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team.
Gates will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days so people can view aircraft on display. Major flying demonstrations will take place from noon to 3:30 p.m.
"It's a way for the Air Force to show off its aircraft, past and present," said 2nd Lt. Korey Fratini, Scott's deputy chief of public relations. "The public can get an idea of what we do."
This year, Scott officials are encouraging the public to utilize both Exit 19A and 23 off Interstate 64, so some cars can enter the base through the Belleville gate to alleviate congestion at the Shiloh gate.
People also are encouraged to ride MetroLink to the base. Yet another option is parking and watching the air show from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport.
"It's open for viewing with no services," said Major Tom Knaust, show director. "So it's perfect for tailgating. We just don't want anyone to stop on the road. That could be dangerous."
At a glance
What: Air Power Over the Midwest Air Show
Where: Scott Air Force Base
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Main flying demonstrations: Noon to 3:30 p.m. both days
Admission: Free
Food and drink: Available for purchase
Information: www.scott.af.mil
Air show schedule
SATURDAY
9 a.m. -- Gates open
11:45 a.m. -- Whiteman Air Force Base B-2 flyby
11:50 a.m. -- Opening ceremony with USSOCOM Para Comandos and National Anthem
Noon -- 375th flyby with C-21, C-40 and KC-135
12:15 p.m. -- Geico Extra 300 demonstration
12:30 p.m. -- Vanguard RV3 formation
12:45 p.m. -- Ace Maker TF-33 demonstration
1 p.m. -- Herb and Ditto T-28 demonstration
1:15 p.m. -- Randy Ball MiG-17 demonstration
1:30 p.m. -- Tuskegee T-6 and TG-7 demonstration
2:15 p.m. -- USSOCOM parachute jump
2:35 p.m. -- Thunderbirds U.S. Air Force F-16 Demonstration Team
5 p.m. -- Gates close
SUNDAY
9 a.m. -- Gates open
Noon -- 375th flyby with C-21, C-40 and KC-135
12:15 p.m. -- Geico Extra 300 demonstration
12:30 p.m. -- Vanguard RV3 formation
12:45 p.m. -- Ace Maker TF-33 demonstration
1 p.m. -- Herb and Ditto T-28 demonstration
1:15 p.m. -- Randy Ball MiG-17 demonstration
1:30 p.m. -- Tuskegee T-6 and TG-7 demonstration
2:15 p.m. -- USSOCOM parachute jump
2:35 p.m. -- Thunderbirds U.S. Air Force F-16 Demonstration Team
5 p.m. -- Gates close
Copyright 2012 - Belleville News-Democrat
