For two days only, the Commemorative Air Force Capital Wing will offer warbird rides in two World War II aircraft at the Westmoreland County Airshow in Latrobe, Pa., Aug. 17- 18.
The Capital Wing will fly rides in its 1942 Boeing PT-17 Stearman open cockpit bi-plane, the primary trainer for all U.S. airmen in World War II, or for up to three passengers on each flight in its Fairchild UC-61 Forwarder, an aircraft design of the 1930s which was used by the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II to spot enemy submarines off the Atlantic coast. Warbird rides will be scheduled before and after each airshow.
Advance tickets to fly in either the Stearman or the Fairchild can be purchased at the Capital Wing bookings website capitalwingwarbirdrides.org/warbird-rides and flights not sold in advance will be available for sale on site during the event.
In addition to warbird rides, the Capital Wing will have on static display its TBM Avenger torpedo bomber, the heaviest and largest single-engine bomber of World War II. The public will have the opportunity to walk on the wing of the TBM and see the pilot’s cockpit and imagine taking off from a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in World War II.
The airshow performers will include the World War II P-51D Bald Eagle, a 1950s British de Havilland Vampire jet and featuring the U.S. Air Force F-35A demo team.
The two-day event will be at the Palmer Airport, 148 Aviation Lane, Latrobe, Pa. Parking for the event will be $10 (proceeds benefit local fire departments) and admission is $20 per person. Capital Wing and performer aircraft appear subject to weather, maintenance, and pilot availability.
For more information email CapitalWingRides@gmail.com.
