More than 19,000 visitors from 32 states were drawn to the inaugural event in 2016, attracted by spectacular flying demonstrations, battle reenactments, World War II veteran appearances, living history encampments, hands-on family activities, aircraft rides, cockpit tours, and more.
This year’s show will feature a 75th anniversary commemoration of the Doolittle Raid, the heroic U.S. counterattack on Japan after Pearl Harbor. A flying reenactment of the Raid will combine eight B-25 bombers, spectacular pyrotechnics, sound effects, and narration into a pulsating history lesson.
More than 80 World War II-era aircraft are set to participate in the airshow. The unique gathering of heavy bombers will include a B-29 Superfortress, B-24 Liberator, and two B-17 Flying Fortresses. There will be exciting fighters such as the P-51 Mustang, P-40 Warhawk, Vought F4U Corsair, and a Bell P-39 Airacobra. The aerial activities will be supported on the ground by personal appearances from numerous World War II veterans, living history reenactment groups, and military vehicles including a working Sherman tank and a 105mm howitzer.
“Last year’s event was the first airshow in Dallas for more than 30 years, and proved wildly popular with families and history enthusiasts,” says CAF President Robert Stenevik. “This year will be bigger and better, with a goal to make CAF Wings Over Dallas the nation’s pre-eminent annual World War II-themed airshow and military reenactment event.”
Frost Bank is sponsoring the show for the second year. Paul Koch, president of Frost, Dallas Region, said the company was proud to return as a sponsor in 2017. "This is the kind of history lesson you can’t read in a book or watch on a screen,” he said. “We are excited to help bring it to Dallas Executive Airport, southern Dallas and the entire north Texas region."
Show organizers are planning for significantly greater attendance. Airshow seating areas are being quadrupled from 2016 to 2017, along with expanded emphasis on traffic management, parking, and food and drink.
Tickets are on sale at www.wingsoverdallas.org with advance purchase discounts available. Rides are also available through the website in numerous World War II aircraft.
About the Commemorative Air Force:
Through six decades of collecting, restoring, and flying World War II aircraft, the CAF has become the world’s largest flying museum, with a fleet of 165 airplanes supported by 11,000 volunteer members. Nearly all the aircraft are kept in flying condition, enabling people to experience firsthand the sight and sound of vintage military aircraft in flight. The CAF, established in 1957, will celebrate its 60th anniversary with festivities at the CAF Wings Over Dallas Airshow.
The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition, education, and remembrance. To further its mission the CAF produces many aviation events across the country, including the CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow, which annually attracts more than 90,000 spectators and was honored as 2015 Airshow of the Year by the International Council of Airshows.
The organization recently relocated its national headquarters to Dallas Executive Airport where it plans to develop an educational campus that is expected to play a significant role in the economic and cultural revitalization of southern Dallas.
For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org
