Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey To Be Featured Attraction

The Thunder of Niagara Air Show is scheduled for the weekend of September 10-11, and will recall a brighter time in the industrial history of Western New York with a tribute to the Bell Aircraft Corporation.

The predecessor of Bell Helicopter Textron was founded July 10, 1935 in Buffalo, by Larry Bell. In 1946, many aviation pioneers piloted experimental Bell helicopter models in the area. In fact, during this time the Buffalo operation was essentially the only place where a pilot could get flight instruction in helicopters.

The 2011 Thunder of Niagara Air Show, at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, is scheduled to feature a US Marine Corps V-22 Osprey (file photo shown), which is manufactured by Bell-Boeing. Used in conventional and special operations, the tilt-rotor aircraft takes off and lands like a helicopter. Once airborne, its engine components can be rotated to convert the aircraft to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight.

Air show attendees will be granted a chance to view the Osprey close-up, as well as speak with its operators about its many capabilities.

The theme of this year’s show is honoring the memories, sacrifices and actions of first responders and US military personnel during and after the 2001 terrorist attacks against our nation.

FMI: www.niagara.afrc.af.mil