Tickets Going Fast for Springtime Air Show

A rare appearance by the Lockheed VC-121A “MacArthur Bataan” is scheduled for this year's Sun 'n Fun 2024, granting attendees a chance to see one of the last 2 survivors of the type.

MacArthur Bataan, manufactured in 1948, cuts a familiar cold war figure as a classic rendition of a 4-engined prop airliner. The quintessentially post-war design language has yet to be seen again, with a distinctive tri-tail design, sloping roofline, rounded wing, and 4 monstrous radial engines. The Constellation series saw service around the world with a number of carriers, ushering the early years of airliner customer service gold.

Bataan is a former NASA and military bird, brought back from the brink of scrapping by Texan restoration specialists, the Air Legends Foundation. They've continued to operate the Connie today, maintaining the surprisingly thirsty vintage bird with gallons of fuel, oil, and tires year after year. The cost to move her around means that Bataan can't make an appearance at every little holler airshow around the country, but everyone she shows up for is an unforgettable occasion.

The Constellation will arrive at Lakeland Linder International Airport on Tuesday, April 9th during the airshow, and fly in the show again on Wednesday, April 10th. After static display on Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12, she will depart after one final display on Saturday, April 13.

FMI: www.flysnf.org