'Rise Above' Exhibit Seen At Oshkosh Comes To Cleveland

The Cleveland National Air Show will feature many amazing American aircraft ranging from the modern era back to WWII war birds. But a rare P-51C Mustang will stand out from the others for two reasons: it has a bright red tail and it is a key part of an educational initiative to help people, particularly young people, understand and appreciate the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

It will be joined by the new CAF Red Tail Squadron RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit, a customized 53' trailer with expandable sides that houses a 160-degree curved movie screen and seating for 30 in climate-controlled comfort.  A 14-minute original movie called "RISE ABOVE" focuses on what the Tuskegee Airmen, pilots and their support personnel, had to overcome to be allowed to fly and fight for their country during World War II. The movie was created by Emmy-winning Cleveland filmmaker Adam White, owner of Hemlock Films. Part of the movie was shot in Cleveland using local actors and crew personnel.

The CAF Red Tail Squadron, a volunteer-driven non-profit organization that is part of the Commemorative Air Force, completed a $1 million restoration of the Mustang, named "Tuskegee Airmen," in 2009, and the airplane has been on the air show circuit ever since.

The RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit and the red-tailed P-51C Mustang, Tuskegee Airmen, will be on display between 0900 and 1700 at the Cleveland National Air Show, September 3-5, at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland, Ohio. The Mustang also flies (weather permitting) as scheduled during the core hours.

FMI: www.clevelandairshow.com