The WWII AirPower Expo 2016 Is Scheduled In New Orleans November 4 Through 6

The National WWII Museum, Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation will be presenting the WWII AirPower Expo 2016 at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport.

Warbirdnews.com said in a press release that the three-day air show will offer thrilling aerial demonstrations, up-close aircraft tours, authentic WWII-era entertainment, hands-on activities and an opportunity to meet some of the men and women who helped win World War II. Visitors will also have the option to purchase tickets for a memorable ride aboard some of the majestic aircraft.

It’s reported that visitors will enjoy access to a fleet of vintage WWII aircraft, including the B-29 Superfortress FIFI, B-17 Flying Fortress Texas Raiders, a P-51D Mustang Gunfighter and a group of P-40 Warhawks painted in their iconic shark-mouth motif.

This year’s AirPower Expo, the third Museum-sponsored air show, will give visitors special access to the cockpits of the awe-inspiring WWII-era planes – and allow them to experience the sights, sounds and thrills of the aircraft in flight. “We’ve added a new feature to the 2016 Expo called ‘Warbirds in Review’ in which select aircraft are spotlighted during on-the-hour historical presentations followed by demonstration flights,” explains Stephen Watson, executive vice president and COO of The National WWII Museum.

To commemorate the upcoming 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, daily showcases will also feature three Japanese replica aircraft from the CAF Tora Squadron – the Tora Val, Tora Kate and Tora Zero. The three aircraft will perform a formation flight daily at noon in which air show attendees, as well as local residents, will be able to track the planes by smoke trails generated over the city of New Orleans.

Additional activities throughout the weekend include cockpit tours, expanded reenactor camps, hands-on history exhibits, veteran meet-and-greets, vehicle showcases and maneuvers, and performances by the Museum’s Victory Belles – a 1940s-style singing trio.

The new-this-year WWII-themed Boot Camp obstacle course will take hands-on history to a new level, as adults and kids alike will be able to test themselves on the fitness regimen that prepared our soldiers for victory, including the climbing of cargo nets, ropes and monkey bars.

The CAF Red Tail Squadron’s signature traveling exhibit “Rise Above” will also return to the Expo. The educational experience includes a film about the Tuskegee Airmen and the obstacles they overcame as they trained and fought as the first African American fighter pilots.

(Image from Warbirdnews.com press release)

FMI: www.airpowersquadron.org   www.commemorativeairforce.org