MUSCLE SHOALS — The skies over the Shoals area will be swarming with vintage war planes this weekend.
A variety of aircraft flown during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War will fly into Northwest Alabama Regional Airport today as a part of the Shoals Warbird Weekend.
The event is hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 615 of the Shoals.
“We are expecting more than 30 planes here for the week this weekend,” said B.J. Kennamore, a member of Chapter 615 and a Warbird pilot. “This show is the first time we have ever hosted a Warbird event. This event is usually in Owensboro, Kentucky. Luckily, we were able to get it here.”
Kennamore said planes and pilots from South Carolina, Texas, Kansas, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama will be at the event.
“It’s exciting to have these vintage planes here,” Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford said. “Any time we can get people to come into our area, visit us and see what we have to offer, it’s a good thing.”
Bradford said the planes have served this country and are part of history.
“This is a chance for the residents of the Shoals to get a better understanding of these planes and the significant roles they have played in our history,” he said.
Kennamore said most aircraft will be the smaller fighter planes.
“But there is a possibility of some larger planes, like large bombers,” he said. “We never know who all will show up.”
The pilots and planes will start arriving at the airport off Webster Street in Muscle Shoals this afternoon.
Kennamore said the pilots will have a “meet and greet” session from 1-4 p.m.
Saturday the show begins with flyovers. He said the prime time to watch will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admission charge.
“And they will be using the sportsplex there on Webster Street (next to the airport) for parking and seating,” Bradford said. “It should be a good place for people to watch the planes come in and take off.”
Kennamore said the planes will fly in various formations throughout the day Saturday.
“There will be a number of flights, and we’ll have anywhere from four to eight planes in formation at a time,” he said. “Plus, we may be able to do as many as 20 at a time.”
The flyovers will be all over the Quad-Cities, Kennamore said.
“We want as many people as possible to see these planes and enjoy them as much as we do,” he said.
Source: http://www.timesdaily.com
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