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Static Display Take a tour through aviation history by exploring the numerous planes and helicopters on display. Ask the pilot about his or her experience. Take a tour and see the inner workings of military and civilian aircraft. Although these aircraft will be on static display for your viewing pleasure, many of the warbirds will be flying in the Air Show Heritage Flights.
A total of 15,677 P-47 Thunderbolts of all types were built before production ceased at the end of 1945. More Thunderbolts were produced than any other USAAF fighter. (The P-51 was second with 15,386 produced; the P-40 was third with an even 15,000 produced; the P-38 was fourth with 10,037 produced.) In addition to the USAAF, during WW II P-47's were sold or supplied to Brazil, Free France, Mexico, the UK, and the USSR. After the war, surplus P-47's were operated by the Air Forces of Bolivia, Chile, China, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Iran, Italy, Nicaragua, Peru, Portugal, Turkey, Venezuela, and Yugoslavia.
R4D / C-47 Skytrain The Amerian built Douglas C- 47 Dakota was adapted from the DC-3 Dakota commercial airliner. It was named the Douglas C-47 Skytrain by the US Army, designated the R4D by the USN, and was commonly referred to as "Gooney Bird" by American troops. It was one of the most successfull aircraft designed and built, and had great longevity. The last C-47 was retired from the American Air Force in 1975. The type was praised by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower amongst the most important instruments of victory in WWII. More than 13,300 of the DC-3 and C-47s in all its forms were built - this included Japanese and Soviet production.
C45 Expeditor / SNB / JNB The Beech C-45 Expeditor was a military version of the civil Beechcraft Model 18 light transport aircraft, one of the most adaptable and versatile twin-engined aircraft built by the USA. The type first flew in 1937 and orders for military versions were placed in 1941 with a total of 5024 being delivered during the war in the variants: AT-7, AT-11, UC-45, C-45, JRB and the SNB. They were produced, for example, as an advanced trainer in 1941 under the designation AT-7 "Navigator." Many, as C-45Bs, served as transports. Large numbers were lend-leased to the British who called them MK 1 "Expeditors." Yet another version, identifiable by its glassed-in nose, was produced as the AT-11 "Kansan" for training bombardiers. A model fitted out for photographic duties was called the "Discoveror." SNB was the US Navy designation, the latter also called the "Bugsmasher" as it was affectionately named by the USN.
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the US military and in the air forces and navies of many other nations. In the United States Army Air Forces and later in the United States Air Force their designation was the OA-10, while Canadian-built PBYs were known as the Canso. During World War II, PBYs were used in anti-submarine warfare, patrol bombing, convoy escorts, search and rescue missions (especially air-sea rescue), and cargo transport. The PBY was the most successful aircraft of its kind; no other flying boat was produced in greater numbers. The last active military PBYs were not retired from service until the 1980s. Even today, over 70 years after its first flight, the aircraft continues to fly as an airtanker in aerial firefighting operations all over the world.
The small, tubby F4F/FM-2 Wildcat is one of the important, yet often forgotten Allied fighters of World War II. Designed in 1935 by the Grumman Aircraft Corp., the XF4F-3 was the first all-metal, carrier launched, monoplane fighter purchased by the U.S. Navy. The F4F beat out competing designs from Brewster and Seversky. The robust and agile F4F was the primary front line fighter of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps at the onset of World War II. This Wildcat proved to be dependable and was loved by pilots and maintenance crews alike.
Early in the Pacific War, US Navy and Marine Corps fighter pilots found themselves outclassed by the agile and well-armed Japanese A6M Zero, but even then work was underway to provide them with better aircraft. One of those better aircraft was the Vought "F4U Corsair", a rugged, powerful, and somewhat unforgiving aircraft that featured a distinctive inverted gull wing. The Corsair proved more than a match for the Zero, and it would also prove to be an excellent fighter-bomber, serving in this role in the Korean War and in the French colonial wars in Indochina and Algeria.
Largely known as the "most famous plane of WWII," the Mustang was a symbol of American airpower. It was a formidable adversary to the German fighters that had been shooting down RAF and other USAAF planes repeatedly. First fitted with the Allison engine, the Mustang's performance was mediocre. When tests with the Rolls Royce Merlin 68 engine were first done, the USAAF was so impressed that it went into large-scale production almost immediately. Versions were sent to Allied air forces across the globe. Fame was earned with the Mustang's ability to fly the bomber escort role successfully, despite the long distances across Germany and the Pacific. The P-51 Mustang remained in service with the USAF until 1957.
C-17 Globemaster III The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo to main operating bases, or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is also able to perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required. The inherent flexibility and performance characteristics of the C-17 force improves the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.
The prototype of the Skyraider was first flown on 18 March 1945. Designed as a robust, multi-role attack aircraft for the US Navy, the carrier-based Skyraider was able to carry a wide variety of weapons on its numerous wing hard points. The Skyraider first saw combat in the Korean War, where its long loiter time and heavy load-hauling capability gave it a distinct utility advantage over the jet aircraft of the time.
The North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s. Designed by North American Aviation, the T-6 is known by a variety of designations depending on the model and operating air force. The USAAC designated it as the "AT-6", the US Navy the "SNJ", and British Commonwealth air forces, the Harvard, the name it is best known by outside of the United States
B-25 "Panchito" The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades. The B-25 was named in honor of General Billy Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation. The B-25 is the only American military aircraft named after a specific person. By the end of its production, nearly 10,000 B-25s in numerous models had been built. There are currently just over one hundred B-25's that are still flying. Bringing together the legacy of brave veterans and the B-25, the Disabled American Veterans has teamed up with Larry Kelley, owner of the B-25 “Panchito”, to promote their services at air shows across the country. Through their Airshow Outreach Program, the Disabled American Veterans honors the men and women who have served our country in all wars and raises public awareness of the sacrifices of our armed forces.
The Northrop T-38 Talon is an American twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. It remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world. The United States Air Force (USAF) is the largest user. In addition to USAF pilots, the T-38 is used in the United States by NASA. The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School is the principal U.S. Navy operator (other T-38s were previously used as USN aggressor aircraft until replaced by the similar F-5 Tiger II), as well as some NATO pilots participating in joint training programs, also fly the T-38.
The Boeing AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter with tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement, and tandem cockpit for a crew of two. The Apache was developed as Model 77 by Hughes Helicopters for the United States Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter program to replace the AH-1 Cobra. First flown on 30 September 1975, the AH-64 features a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems. The Apache is armed with a 30-millimeter (1.2 in) M230 Chain Gun carried between the main landing gear, under the aircraft's forward fuselage. It has four hardpoints mounted on stub-wing pylons, typically carrying a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire and Hydra 70 rocket pods. The AH-64 also features double- and triple-redundant aircraft systems to improve survivability for the aircraft and crew in combat, as well as improved crash survivability for the pilots.
The Cessna 182 Skylane is an American four-seat, single-engine, light airplane, built by Cessna of Wichita, Kansas. It has the option of adding two child seats, installed in the baggage area. Introduced in 1956, the 182 has been produced in a number of variants, including a version with retractable landing gear, and is the second most popular Cessna model, after the 172.
The Piper Cub, one of the most popular and influential light aircraft ever manufactured, remains a term synonymous with general aviation in the United States—more than 80 years after its introduction. The name “Cub” is commonly used to describe a number of aircraft models—most notably the Piper J-2 and J-3.
What makes this plane a classic? In the sky our hearts beat faster when we admire the enduring loveliness of a particular airplane, which for one reason or another achieves the status of a standard for perfection. It is this enduring value that defines something as a classic, rather than being a passing fancy.
North Carolina CAP Wing AircraftNorth Carolina Wing has ten aircraft based in the state. They are kept in a state of readiness to respond to emergency services missions and are positioned based on need and availability of pilots. Major aircraft maintenance is performed centrally at Sanford Airport (TTA) while minor maintenance and repairs are performed at basing locations as required. Aircraft are also used to provide orientation flights to cadets and develop proficiency and training of CAP pilots.
NOTE: Displayed pictures are shown to represent the type/model of the aircraft that will be on display during the Air Show, but may not be the actual aircraft displayed. Aircraft appearing are subject to change due to many reasons beyond our control, to include but not limited to, maintenance, weather, or other circumstances. We appreciate your understanding. |
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Piper J3 Cub
